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Kenya Dyslexia Conference
Nairobi was the setting for the annual Kenyan School’s Dyslexia Conference. Twelve leading independent day and boarding schools were represented. Many of the delegates had travelled many miles from up country to attend this annual conference.Other delegates came from schools within Nairobi. Hillcrest Prep School hosted the Conference. The schools in attendance were St. Andrews, Penbroke, Braeburn, Peponi, Kenton College, Banda School, Augustana Academy, Greenacres, Rusinga, Imani and Nairobi Academy. Sandy Mwai, Scilla Davey, Hillcrest Learning Support teaching staff and William Ferguson presented papers. All who attended are experts in dyslexic teaching. Caroline, Ester and Margaret, the Hillcrest Learning Support team spoke about their role and their successful Reading Recovery programme. Sandy Mwai talked on several issues. These covered left and right brain thinking. This was a practical demonstration. Sandy then talked about the importance of the development of emotional intelligence. This was the personal development, which equipped a student with the inner skills to function fully in a learning situation. She then spoke about the importance of development motor reflex actions, which take place during a baby’s development. The importance of this was stressed and its slow development which can impede educational achievement in the older child and necessitate remedial programmes to develop these reflex skills. Once these are developed and the skills are acquired then academic learning is more likely to take place. Scilla Davey talked about the students who use personal computers in the classroom. She spoke about the programmes she had in place to help students feel confident and acquire the skills to make their learning effective. A computer program was the foundation for this success. It not only taught typing but incorporated basic English skills in the course work as well. William Ferguson talked about ‘Neuro Linguistic Programming.’ This was about multisensory teaching. Everyone has a favourite sensory way of learning. A self-assessment questionnaire was given to the delegates to determine this. Once student and teacher had established rapport and were on the same ‘wavelength’ then effective learning could take place. The programme had a 7-point multisensory spelling strategy and this was also explained. William also spoke about computer programs and illustrated how these could be used in effective teaching to motivate students. The teaching material developed at Hillcrest School and linked to these programs was demonstrated. The day ended with a tour of the school and lunch. William
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