Can FM systems help children with reading difficulties gain phonological awareness skills?

What is it about?

This study investigates the use of amplification of teacher's voice in a classroom setting, using an FM system, on the phonological awareness skills of first grade children who are at risk of dyslexia. FM systems may be a valuable tool in helping children with decoding based reading impairments make gains in phonological awareness skills, a notable area of difficulty.

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Photo by Santi Vedrí on Unsplash

Photo by Santi Vedrí on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Phonological awareness, or the knowledge of sounds in words, is a key component of reading development and the primary area of difficulty for individuals with dyslexia. The use of FM systems, which amplify the teacher's voice in a classroom without also amplifying background noise, may be a valuable tool for children with dyslexia and at risk of dyslexia to obtain phonological awareness skills. This study was the first study to look at the use of FM systems during reading intervention in particular and was the first study to use the FM system only during the intervention, in this case three 30-minute sessions per week, instead of during an entire school day.

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