CHP Connect
SLP Students Help Refugee Children and Adolescents Prevent Summer Slide
December 06, 2023
Our GVSU team was led by Dr. Courtney Karasinski, in addition to SLP graduate students Erica Alexander, Autumn Buikema, Savannah Kendra, Alexis Khan, Stephanie Lester, Samantha Myers, and Madelyn Schrot.
The GVSU SLP team was welcomed into this experience by Dr. Rui Niu-Cooper of GVSU's graduate program for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages in the College of Education and Community Innovation. Learning Cafe is a camp that aims to prevent the academic "summer slide" experienced by many school-aged children and adolescents.
SLP students collaborated with Mrs. Dance, the camp director, and other community members to learn how to provide evidence-based language and literacy support to all students, including those with advanced abilities. The weekly camp themes included personal training and sports, storytelling, dance, entrepreneurship, and robotics, which mirror the services they will provide as SLPs in schools. SLP students also learned how to analyze written language samples and recognize strengths and areas for growth in multilingual learners from preschool through high school. They learned to establish rapport with individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds and build children's and adolescents' confidence and self-esteem. They also learned how to contribute as a team member in ways not specific to their role and collaborate with other professionals. Each SLP student felt inspired by their role models in this experience and will carry it with them as they progress in their careers.
Learning Cafe campers learned about creating oral presentations and business plans, collaborating with peers, and following directions. Each day ended with journaling, where SLP students assisted campers with spelling, letter and vowel sounds, using punctuation, following grammar rules, expanding ideas, being descriptive, and using a diverse vocabulary. The campers gained confidence in their writing ability and motivation to write throughout the camp. They also learned about the SLP profession. One camper even expressed interest in becoming an SLP! This was a rewarding week that Dr. Karasinski and the students will never forget! Learn more about the Oakdale Neighbors-Learning Cafe and Youth Programs HERE.