KUCHING: The inability to read may cause low self-esteem and affect growth of communication and social skills of young children.
Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah added that if this is not addressed, it may affect the child’s future.
The inability to read may have many causes, which include slow learning and dyslexia.
“Diagnosis is very important, thus there is a programme in primary schools
where at Primary 1, they are tested to see if they can read or not. Unless the child is properly diagnosed, remedial class
will not help the child,” said Fatimah at the Dyslexia Association Sarawak’s ‘Dyslexia Literacy Camp’ opening at its premises here yesterday.
“The basic reason is that the remedial class cannot use a ‘blanket method’ but instead focus according to a child’s condition.”
She added that since the association started in 2007, the association is ready to help all year round for the dyslexic child to receive remedial class.
She said once a child is identified to be dyslexic by teachers or parents, they can go for remedial class and liaise with the association for proper diagnosis.
Fatimah, who is also Dalat assemblywoman, said it is more effective to remove the dyslexic child from class temporarily to attend specific dyslexic class so they can focus better. Once they can read, they can return to normal class where their studies will progress faster.
On the camp itself, Fatimah encouraged parents to send their dyslexic child so they can exercise their left and right brains as well as learn to communicate and socialise. This will then form their character as an individual.
The Dyslexia Camp runs (from yesterday) till Sunday and is participated by dyslexic pupils.
Apart from that, the association has successfully applied for a RM50,000 grant to do a literacy project, ‘Buddy – Read with Me’ in Baram, Belaga and Tatau. Some 20 good readers in English in Primary 4-6 will be paired one-on-one with poor readers from Primary 1-3 where the buddies will meet with their ‘adik angkat’ for at least 15 minutes each school day. Teacher facilitators from each school will be appointed to oversee and supervise the programme. It is expected to commence in January 2015.
Among those present at the event were association president Dr Ong Puay Hoon and patron Datin Azerina Mohd Arip.