Optimum Learning & Health Centre

SureReading
The *SureReading* method is a reading, writing and spelling programme. It is based on the experience that I gained over the last 20 years from working with children who have learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, (Central) Auditory Processing Disorder (APD or CAPD), speech and language problems and Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (AD(H)D).
Though every child is different and the cause(s) of their problems are different, there are distinct patterns of similarities between the learning difficulties that these children encounter. During assessment of these children I found that at least one of the prerequisite skills for reading, writing and spelling were missing. When a child goes to school it is usually assumed that he or she already has these prerequisite skills and the curriculum dictates what the child will need to learn next. Unfortunately it is usually not checked first whether the child is developmentally ready for the next step before it is introduced. As a result the children who are not ready fall behind right from the start. The child also begins to feel insecure about his/her ability to learn. Babies who are learning how to walk will often fall down, but that doesn’t deter them. They will get up again and persist because they have an inner knowing that they will be able to walk one day so they keep practicing. However if you try to teach a 4 month old baby how to walk, you will discover quickly that this is an impossible task because the child is developmentally not ready for walking yet. The same applies to trying to teach a child how to read before the brain is developmentally ready. When is a child ready for reading? Developmental readiness for reading means that: a. the brain is integrated to the point that both eyes can move smoothly across the midline and both sides of the brain can process the information simultaneously (ie decoding new words, recognising old words and comprehend what has been read (see SureReading booklet)) b. all prerequisite skills for reading have been acquired. If reading is introduced at this point, it is fun and can be learned easily, but before this point it can be a nightmare for teacher, parents and child. Children naturally develop at different rates and gender is a factor. Some children usually boys between 5 and 7 years of age see that there are other children in the class (usually girls) who seem to learn how to read easily. This leads the slower developing child to believe that s/he must be stupid, because he does not know that the real reason is his/her lack of developmental readiness. As the years go by the child usually falls further and further behind because the missing prerequisite skills were never identified and taught. The constant failure is confirmation to the child that he is really stupid, which leads to low self esteem and a decreased desire to do any reading, writing or any other homework. The early struggle with reading can put a child off reading and learning for the rest of his life, which is very sad. The good news is that most reading and learning difficulties can be prevented if it is checked first whether the child is developmentally ready and in cases where the child is not ready, to focus equipping the child with the necessary skills. Reading can ”click” in one day and that is usually the day that brain integration for reading has been achieved. If at that time all prerequisite skills have also been acquired the brain can perform the reading skill with ease. It is my experience that it is wiser to postpone the introduction of formal reading until the child is ready and indicates that it is willing to learn how to read. Until that time one can concentrate on ensuring that: * All the prerequisite or splinter skills are there using the *SureReading* programme * The brain is switched on using Brain Gym@ activities * The brain is integrated. Brain integration can be enhanced through the Integration Process of Educational Kinesiology and through the Brain Gym@ activities This way the child will experience reading as an activity that is easy, rewarding and fun and is likely to enjoy reading for the rest of his life. Please read the SureReading and the How to improve learning booklets. The How to improve learning booklet also contains writing examples that show what a difference Brain Gym@ and the Integration Process can make in less than half an hour and without any additional teaching! What does the SureReading method do? *The SureReading* method:** * Gives children the prerequisite skills required for reading, writing and spelling * Develops sound awareness and Auditory discrimination skills (Central Auditory Problems - CAP) * Develops confidence in reading through a systematic and consistent approach to syllabification of multi-syllabic words * Has proven to be very successful for children with Dyslexia, language problems and AD(H)D What does the SureReading method consist of? *The SureReading* method consists of:** * a list of prerequisite skills * a series of easy tests, that are used to determine which prerequisite skills are missing This determines at what level of the method the child needs to start * Brain Gym® activities that will switch on the brain before a new skill is learned * a series of worksheets that can be used to develop the prerequisite skills for yourself, your child or your students * a number of answering sheets that can be used to check whether you or the child develops the skills correctly * a teacher edition to explain how to use the method in the classroom * a parent edition to explain how to use the method at home with your child The SureReading method will be available for purchase online as a CD or as a downloadable programme shortly, so please keep checking the website or register to receive an Email when a new product becomes available. To register click here. What if my child is not ready for reading when s/he goes to school? If your child has to start reading before s/he is ready, you can assist your child in getting ready by doing the Brain Gym® activities, the brain integration process and the SureReading method. All of these skills will be taught in the Quantum Learning Improvement Course. If you live too far away to do the Quantum Learning Improvement course, you can learn the Brain Gym® activities from the Brain Gym® Demo CD combined with the Teacher’s edition of the Brain Gym® book (available from the Booklist) or from your local Brain Gym® Instructor. This way you can help your own children or your students in making reading a rewarding and pleasurable experience.