Breaking down learning barriers

Photo: AMELIA JACOBSEN

INSPIRING AUTHOR: Frances Adlam’s books are designed to help parents and teachers educate children who learn in an unconventional way.

A Glendowie mother of four wants New Zealand schools to follow the United Kingdom’s example and put into practice what we know about children who learn in different ways.

Educationalist and author Frances Adlam says teachers and parents are aware of the theories and are knowledgeable about children who find it challenging to learn in the conventional reading and writing approach – but they are not equipped with the skills and resources to help them.

So she’s telling them how.

This week is Dyslexia Awareness Week and next Thursday Mrs Adlam will speak to parents of children with dyslexia and others who face barriers to learning at school.

The former Education Ministry adviser has written four books on multi-sensory learning, which provide teachers and parents with a systemised outline of creative ideas they can use when educating children.

"Our brains are all wired in different ways and because of that we will have strengths and areas that are tricky to us," she says.

"Rather than saying one child is intelligent over another it’s just that we’re intelligent in different ways."

Mrs Adlam works closely with children who have a range of learning difficulties, including dyslexia.

She uses patterns, colours, movement and sound to help her students learn to read and write.

One girl, she says, learnt her vowels through dance.

"It’s just about realising this child can gain this knowledge, it just needs to be given to them in a different way."

She says research from England has shown kids respond well to multi-sensory learning and countries around the world are following the UK’s example.

Her books are designed to demystify conceptions about children with dyslexia and learning difficulties, and "make it accessible and as easy as possible" for parents and teachers to manage their learning process.

• Mrs Adlam’s free talk about multi-sensory education is from 7.30pm Thursday at the Auckland Performing Arts Centre, 100 Motions Rd, Western Springs.

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