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Question:
How to improve my child's communication skills, reading and writing?
Asked By : KeenDadTan
Words from the Expert:

Question: I wish for my child to improve in her communication skills, reading and writing. Is speech and drama a better option or should I send her to a reading and writing programme? 

Answer:
This depends on which skill you wish to strengthen first/most, and how your child learns best! What’s important is to ensure that the classes for your child are fun, engaging and meet your child’s needs and your expectations.
 
Your child will learn language effectively in a creative, collaborative and confident manner in both classes. Understanding her learning needs and learning pattern will help you to enroll her in an appropriate programme. 
 
If your child needs more verbal skill and social expression, then a Speech and Drama class might be more appropriate. If you think that your child is verbally very expressive and you want her to learn to put that in writing, then a reading and writing class will give her that focus.
 
Here’s what happens in these classes:

 
Reading and Writing 
Language is introduced holistically through stories, phonic/alphabet puppets, drama and fine motor/pre- writing activities. Gradually, your child will use phonic sounds to decode words. Alongside this, she’ll be equipped with reading cues to help her read sentences. Sight vocabulary words are also introduced through games so she’ll recognise these words when reading.
 
 Writing starts with fine motor activities, tracing, copying of alphabets and words, using phonemic awareness to spell and write. She’ll learn to structure sentences and gradually, simple stories.
 
A good literacy programme includes a carefully selected reading scheme that promotes a love of reading. The programme should encompass listening, speaking, reading and writing skills from the entry level all through the child’s school years.
 
Speech and Drama
Your child will learn communication skills through experience and exploration. She’ll be immersed in the richness of poetry, imagination, rhythm and sound, story making, idea sharing and problem solving. The magic of stories is brought alive through characterisation. Drama is improvised, with the teacher and child building it up through rich language and meaningful interactions.
 
She’ll be inspired to verbalise ideas and take on role playing. Over time, she’ll hone her discussion skills, social interaction and expression, build concentration and confidence in language learning. She will also begin to master expressive communication in formal and informal settings. And as she grows more advanced and adept, her public speaking and presentation skills will also be holistically nurtured. 
 
At Julia Gabriel Centre, she’ll record her response to stories and drama activities, as well, strengthening her literacy skills.
 
Take some time to look at how your child learns best and choose a programme that will build her language confidence in a nurturing environment.
 
 The Expert:

Sumathi Jayaram
Principal 

Julia Gabriel Centre