Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis (July 17, 2007)
Sixteen teachers who successfully completed a learning recovery course to help children with dyslexia cope in the classroom have now completed a follow-up course geared at sustaining the advancements made by the children.
The Phonics First Kit focuses on using all the senses as points of association in learning to read. It is being implemented at the grade two level in keeping with the continuum concept of maintaining taught skills.
Elements of this new aspect of the course is based on theories that indicate the is importance for children to be closely monitored by teachers during their first two years at school in order to identify any learning disabilities they may have. While the focus has been dyslexia, all cases or learning disabilities may not be related to dyslexia.
In 2006, the teachers were trained in a programme entitled the “Dyslexia Institute Literacy Programme” which was followed this year with the “Phonics First Programme.”