Graduate student Melody Zambriski has undertaken a research study that involves investigating the impact of rhyming books on language-impaired children.
by Cecil Harris
Melody Zambriski has undertaken a research study that involves investigating the impact of rhyming books on language-impaired children. One group will simply have the books read to them; the other group will have the rhymes reinforced through other activities after the reading. Before and after each reading, the children will undergo an electroencephalogram (EEG), which involves attaching flat metal disks, or electrodes, to the scalp to measure electrical activity in the brain.
鈥淢y hypothesis is the children who receive extended intervention [after the reading] will have more of a grasp of their rhyming awareness,鈥� said Zambriski, who is pursuing a at . 鈥淏y using EEG, we鈥檒l see if there is a 肠辞尘辫辞苍别苍迟.鈥�
Zambriski, who has worked in literacy for 18 years, will conduct her study under the supervision of , director of the at the and newly appointed chair of the .
鈥淢elody鈥檚 study will identify the most effective methods to promote preliteracy skills in children with language impairment,鈥� said Dr. Khamis-Dakwar.
This past summer, Zambriski traveled with fellow Ph.D. candidate to Eugene, Oregon鈥攁t Adelphi鈥檚 expense鈥攆or a week of intensive EEG training at . , also had EEG skiils training at Adelphi’s expense before earning his doctoral degree in .
Zambriski said the study requires 30 children. She鈥檒l find them through recommendations from supervisors of other programs at the Hy Weinberg Center and recruitment flyers in schools. Currently, she鈥檚 working on the last of three qualifying papers she must write before beginning work on her dissertation.
Zambriski, a breast cancer survivor, returned to Adelphi after being away for 2 1/2 years to undergo treatment and to care for her 7 1/2-year-old twin daughters, Mackenzie and Hailey. Having received a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the State University of New York at Geneseo and a master鈥檚 degree from LIU Post, she feels at home in Adelphi鈥檚 Ph.D. program.
鈥淎delphi is really great, really collegial,鈥� she said. 鈥淧rofessors like Dr. Khamis-Dakwar are amazing. They go above and beyond to give us the best training, and I love the clinical aspect of the program.鈥�
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥� 516.237.8634
e 鈥� twilson@adelphi.edu