Ann Marie Edwards

US Patent:

20030099920, May 29, 2003

Filed:

Nov 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/003517

Inventors:

Ann Edwards - Brooklyn NY, US
Karen Goldberg - Glen Ridge NJ, US

International Classification:

G09B001/00

US Classification:

434/159000

Abstract:

A device for learning reading and writing, using a multi-sensory method, comprised of a book with illustrations of the letters of the alphabet paired with commonly associated words. When spelled, the associated word's first letter is the selected letter. There are also colorful illustrations of these words. For example, the selected letter “s” is paired with the word “sun” and a colorful illustration of the sun. The letter's surface is textured with raised structures or bumps. This makes the letter's shape easily distinguishable to the user from the flat surface of the book's pages. Arrows are drawn along a path following the bumps, denoting to the user the preferred direction along which to trace the letter's shape with their fingers. While simultaneously tracing the letter's bumpy surface, the user vocalizes the letter's name, sound, as well as the associated word's pronunciation. The initial sound of the associated word's pronunciation is identified as being the sound of the selected letter through written instruction and color-coding. Combinations of multiple letters are used to blend sounds to form words. The same method can also be used to teach number recognition and the concept of the numerical value associated with those numbers. The device is especially useful to children and/or persons with reading disabilities as kinesthetic learning is proven to be more effective for this type of student. It can also be helpful as a tool for aiding English As A Second Language (ESL) students.