Roomful of Learners: Center for Children with Learning Difficulties

The task of teaching their kids how to read and write can already be an overwhelming challenge for any parent. But how much more difficult would it be if your child had a learning difficulty?

“I’ve worked with (kids with) learning disabilities for so long,” says Pia Alpapara-Pulido, who currently handles the Reading Intervention Classes and Mainstream Readiness Program at the Roomful of Learners Center for Children with Learning Difficulties (formerly Pocketful of Kids) in Ortigas, Pasig City.

Pulido is not new to the profession. For eight years, she also handled classes at Therabilities, a center which provides occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech pathology for children with learning disabilities.  She explains the goals and programs of the Center to smartparenting.com.ph :

Reading Intervention Programs
This program is intended for those who have an eagerness for learning but are just beginning to read. One-on-one teaching, for Pulido, helps promote a more positive experience.

“It’s like tutoring, but we’re not just helping with their homework. We’re targeting a skill,” Pulido stresses.

This early intervention program is divided into three age groups:
•    Beginning Readers (for children 3 to 5 years old)
•    Comprehension Help (for children ages 5 and up)
•    Intensive Reading (for children 6 years old and up)

Click here to learn more about Roomful of Learners' mainstream readiness program.

[previous|page|next]

Read on to learn more about Roomful of Learners' mainstream readiness program.

 

Mainstream Readiness Program
The mainstream readiness program, Pulido explains, aims to prepare a child with special needs to the environment of a traditional school by making use of a mock classroom setup.  “It’s in a controlled system, it functions as a classroom, but gives emphasis on reading skills and socialization. We don’t intend to replace school as we know it; rather, we hope to bridge the gap brought about by a child’s special needs.”

The challenge that comes with teaching children with learning disabilities, she says, is how to encourage children to express their emotions while at the same time making classmates understand this method of expression.  It is highly subject to misinterpretation.  This is why the program at Roomful of Leaners features an emotional curriculum, because ”some end up fighting; some don’t know a lot about emotions, and with some, you can’t tell at all,” says Pulido.

A lot of socialization issues come into play at school that Pulido feels are not entirely addressed. “What you don’t get from school is direct social teaching,” she explains.

Children’s capabilities are assessed before they begin the program, and measured against the expected milestones for their age. The recommended number of sessions will then be based on this assessment.  From thereon, tests are conducted every four months to gauge improvement.


Special Educational Tools
The books used in Roomful of Learners can easily be purchased in leading bookstores. Pulido uses a special reading instruction program, the Orton-Gillingham program for decoding, spelling and writing.


Pia’s Tips to Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities
•    “If you have an inkling that something is wrong, just have it checked. You’re not going to lose anything by getting an assessment.”
•    “Early detection is the best way to address it.”
•    “Every disability will have its own overlaps (similar symptoms),” points out Pulido. “But I think it’s best to focus on the main issue and target that. Use a child’s strengths to motivate him to learn.”
•    “Know yourself. Accept your child’s diagnosis. Have an expectation check.”
•    “A special child really needs a lot of attention and patience.  Showing him how to read will imbibe in him the love for reading.

 

See the available programs offered by Roomful of Learners when you click here.

[previous|page|next]