THIS is my last installment for this topic on “good reading”. During the last two weeks, I shared my late but worthwhile entry into the reading world. I also shared my discovery with my kids about each child differing in finding their purpose and comfort in books, but as parents, we can help pave this path with them. This week let me share two distinct and unique reading enrichment programs I have researched on.
I like these two programs because it zeroes in on what I feel are critical in our child’s reading journey: skill and interest.
Reading struggles impact every area of learning and life. Over a six-year period, 2,112 children and adults came to BrainRx Center with dyslexia and/or reading struggles. The leader in one-on-one brain training around the globe, BrainRx measured the cognitive performance of these clients before brain training, and again after brain training, paying special attention to the cognitive skills associated with auditory processing, since weak auditory processing is at the root of 85 percent of reading struggles. According to their findings, most reading struggles are caused by cognitive weakness.
ReadRx is an intensive sound-to-code reading and spelling intervention for individuals ages six to adult developed by BrainRx. It includes all BrainRx procedures, auditory processing training, plus basic and complex code reading training. They originally tested 2,000 struggling readers and found common weak skills that included long- and short-term memory, processing speed and auditory processing. As a result, the first half of ReadRx focuses on these four skills plus any individualized weak skills. The second half builds on that foundation with reading and spelling skills.
ReadRx is unique because of its methodology, as it provides:
- Immediate feedback: one-on-one training allows for immediate correction of errors and encouragement of correct responses.
- Concentration: the training drills require full attention, which brings faster results because of less time off task.
- Sequencing: an introduction of tasks and information from simple to complex in small enough steps so that new material can be mastered quickly and easily.
- Stretching: constantly pushing activities to more demanding levels that challenge or stretch the student skills to improve.
- Loading: adding task upon task concurrently thus forcing automation and mastery of skills to a subconscious level.
It embeds the standard English reading code to an automatic level instead of passively teaching lessons that are easily forgotten in a short period of time. It is especially beneficial for older readers who have developed many bad reading habits and will fall back into old ineffective reading patterns if the skills are not taught appropriately and brought to an automatic level. BrainRx Center is at McKinley Park Residences in Taguig City (www.brainrx.com/philippines1).
I also recently discovered this new enrichment program, called “The Unique English Classroom,” which fuels interest in reading. UEC is an English program that shapes creativity in writing and communication. The Unique English Classroom, developed in Singapore by media and education specialists, does not reteach what has been taught in the classroom; rather, it builds and develops that knowledge and take it one step further beyond just simple literacy. To date, more than 200 Ministry of Education government and private schools in Singapore have experienced the Unique English Classroom. With a program for every child, each of the Unique English Classroom programs have been developed with the learner in mind. The method includes “thinking out of the box,” a highly interactive and fun series of programs that accelerates the teaching of English and provides a pathway to eventually creating the student’s own masterpiece.
According to Michelle, a mother of seven-year-old Dawn, “My daughter showed no interest in reading or books before the program, always glued to the iPad. Now she drags me to the library and wants to read me stories. Her English and usage has improved a lot, and her teachers and other parents keep asking me what enrichment is she in that made such improvement. Thank you Unique English Classroom and the programs you have created.”
Both my kids did a test class and they did experience the personalized method of the program. They have a program, called “Kids Can Read!,” to spark your child’s interest in reading, and develop language and vocabulary. The “Alphabet Learners” program is best if you want your child to increase comprehension and understanding, The most popular program is the “Aspiring Writers & Illustrator Scheme” because your child gets to publish his very own book.
For inquiries, you can e-mail them at clark@enrich-asia.com, or visit their office of Enrich Asia in Jolibee Plaza, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center.