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Eager and Enlightened...

That was how one child felt after his experience with the Lindamood-Bell® programme – and his teachers were as excited as he was. They wanted to know how they could help other students; and this was enough for Mandy Melville to want to help improve our local education system

About Creative Language-based Learning

 

One in every five students, or 15-20% of the population, has a language-based learning disability, which may include problems with listening, reasoning, speaking, reading, writing and math calculations. Dyslexia is the most common of these language-based learning difficulties, accounting for 70-80% of people with poor reading skills…

"Sad.

                         

                  Helpless.

                                               

                                                                                              Lost."

The Jamaican Context

In a survey conducted by Dr. Barbara Matalon in collaboration with the World Bank, it was found that an estimated 17% of the island’s population had a variation of a learning disability. 15-20% of the population, or one in every five students, has a language-based learning disability that may include problems with listening, reasoning, speaking, reading, writing and maths calculations and problem solving. Dyslexia is the most common of these language-based learning difficulties, accounting for 70-80% of people with poor reading skills.

Of note, without early identification and effective intervention, the negative impact of language-based learning disabilities can be significant and long lasting on the individual and society at large. The social impact cannot be ignored as stated by Dr. Kathryn Currier Moody, in a study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Branch in conjunction with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (published 2000), 48% of prisoners

have dyslexia.

The following link is to a video on Literacy Development For Juvenile Offenders, “A Project Of Hope” with Lindamood-Bell® Learning Processes®, San Diego County Office Of Education, San Diego Probation Department and The San Diego Juvenile Court.

The Solution


When a child has difficulty learning and ‘can’t be taught’, they experience a myriad of emotions. But what if we can help them to learn? And at the same time, build their confidence?


Fortunately, research shows that when students are taught by teachers who are trained in early dyslexia identification and subsequent intervention, 90% of dyslexic students can be educated in regular classrooms.

Eager and Enlightened


That was how one child felt after his experience with the Lindamood-Bell® programme – and his teachers were as excited as he was. They wanted to know how they could help other students; and this was enough for Mandy Melville to want to help improve our local education system.
 
In a few months, Mandy went from a regular mother of two, to the local Lindamood-Bell® champion – persuading the international organisation to lend itself and staff to the newly founded initiative – Creative Language-Based Learning. 

A Mother's Dedication

 

With a husband with dyslexia and knowing it is hereditary, Mandy did what any mother would do- watched out for signs and searched for solutions. At the start of every school year, Mandy would ask her childrens’ teachers to look out for any indications of the learning disability. When Mandy’s son began struggling in school she knew something had to be done.


When he was in grade one, his teacher called and said he did a science test- with only one correct answer; when asked the questions aloud however, he got all correct.  Mandy asked if this was the sign she had been watching out for.
 
Taking him to an educational psychologist to be tested, she learned that he was dyslexic. At that point, she knew she had to do anything to help her child and the best solution she saw was the Lindamood-Bell® programme.
 
That first year, she registered him for summer school, and followed up with classes overseas every Easter and summer.
 
 The process was neither a quick fix, nor easy for either of them. 

Her son asked why he was the only one who had to do extra lessons over the holidays; and during those first years he would act out- running away from school, refusing to get in, or leave the car. There were tears from both of them. He felt that his classmates were laughing at him. That he was stupid. That he couldn’t keep up with the class.
  
His behaviour made Mandy think of how many other kids have a learning difficulty and realize how many are going through a similar frustration. Without her family’s support, neither she nor Josh would have made it through the process. 

But, then it worked. After all the struggles, a silver lining. In grade six, during preparation for mock exams, every grade came out in the 80s and 90s. His impressed teachers eagerly enquired about what methods and techniques could have made such a difference and how could they too learn how to effect such a change. 

At this point, a realization came to Mandy. While she could send two teachers to the programme; she could make a bigger impact nationally if she shared the opportunity. She called Lindamood-Bell® and asked if they would come to Jamaica for a workshop and if so, for how many people. With that phone call, Creative Language- Based Learning was born. 

But Mandy credits the teachers with getting it all started. “So many passionate educators will tell you that when they learn the methodology and take it back to their schools and students, they can see the changes I was able to see with my son.” She believes the more teachers this can be shared with, the more opportunities there are to help children to reach their full potential.
 
“Everybody can help and with everyone’s sincerity and love, you can make a change; make a difference- and give the opportunity to every child.”

"Happy.

                         

                  Bright.

                                               

                                                                                              Enlightened.

 

Eager."