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Every Child Deserves to Know the Joy of Reading

Written by Jean Halle

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If you’ve watched a child struggle with reading, you understand how painfully frustrating it can be for the child, the family and educators.

Language-based Learning Differences (LLDs) affect the way the brain processes information and impact how a child learns to read, write, hear, speak, or calculate. For these students, there is often a disconnection between academic aptitude and the ability to read or write.

LLDs are caused by a difference in brain structure and are often hereditary. There are many kinds of learning differences, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. They affect boys, girls and all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

According to The International Dyslexia Association, 15-20% of the people in the United States have a language-based learning disability.

Virtual school offers these students an opportunity to successfully remediate these issues at home with the guidance of a parent or tutor.  It enables students to discover new ways of learning the foundations of reading and writing through specialized curriculum, innovative teaching techniques, and assistive technology.

There are four critical components to a successful language-based learning program:

  • Specialized Techniques and Technology
    Research has proven that the Orton-Gillingham method of multi-sensory learning provides the best course of study. Auditory, visual, tactile and kinesthetic teaching techniques and interactive computer-based applications enable students to become confident, independent readers.
  • A Variety of Instructional “Voices”
    Virtual schooling often alleviates the embarrassment these children often experience in a classroom setting.  Adjunct teachers can support the parent and student by providing highly personalized feedback, analysis, and encouragement throughout the school  year.  In addition to textbook-based instruction, lessons may be effectively delivered through rich, web-based content such as instructional videos, game-based math supplements, and literature selections which are “read” by an online tool.
  • Appropriate Placement
    Students should undergo an evaluation of baseline language arts skills and core subject competencies before beginning a course of study.
  • Self-pacing
    A one-on-one instructional setting allows a student to accelerate learning in certain areas and focus more attention on subjects or lessons requiring additional review. This approach allows a student to build self-confidence and succeed academically.
As an educator, I’m sure you understand how critically important language skills success are to academic achievement. Each child has unique needs and Verticy Learning offers solutions for supplemental classroom instruction, specialized reading classes and at home instruction.