Artistic Dramatic Dreamers
In New Zealand for the first time, visiting experts say that doing creative arts is the path to academic success for
those children with learning difficulties. Co-founders of the Greenwood School for Specific Learning Difficulties are
conducting workshops across NZ next month. They will reveal how creative learning particularly art, music and drama
motivates learning, increases language skills and uncover aptitudes in students diagnosed with academic learning
difficulties.
These workshops will reveal how the creative arts can and do help to motivate learning, increase language skills and
uncover aptitudes in students diagnosed with academic learning difficulties.
LBCTNZ Founding Trustee Moira Buchanan who is instrumental in bringing the Scheidlers to NZ says that children with
specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia are overlooked in the NZ education system. Language difficulties are
generally addressed in NZ classrooms but other academic problems like dyslexia aren't picked up or put into the 'too
hard' basket'
"It is an appalling state of affairs" says Moira Buchanan, "so many children are simply slipping through our education
system"
Research shows that youth with Specific Learning Difficulties also says further problems occur as a result. Research
shows that youth with ADHD and Dyslexia are over represented in juvenile crime (80 %), youth suicide (31%), and
substance abuse (80%). Internationally, a large percentage of prisoners (approx 50%) have been shown to be dyslexic*.
In a quote sent through Andrea and Tom to the LBCTNZ for Sir John Daniel, Asst Director General of Education (UNESCO)
"2003 is the first year of the United Nations Decade of Literacy. The Decade that is one strand of the global drive
toward Education for ALL! We aim to bring the possibility of reading to many of our world's billion illiterate citizens.
Equally important is to cut off the supply of the new adult illiterates by giving all children the schooling that can
prepare them to read for life. This schooling must include all children regardless. That is why it is so important to
deploy the diversity of methods necessary to make each child a confidant learner, most especially those who for
different reasons do not respond to conventional teaching methods."
In New Zealand, it is estimated 40-50% of school age children who have are Specific Learning Difficulties. Many of them
also suffer from low self-esteem, frustration and are branded troublemakers at school. Many are driven from the
classroom, many times over the years, and finally give up on education.
"We want our educators to absorb the exciting research presented and use it to help our educationally challenged-
gifted children," "We need to create a positive power for them so that they can survive with hope. They could be our
future mathematicians, inventors, physicists and creative geniuses."
Tom and Andrea Scheilder will be holding workshops in Auckland 26th Nov, Hamilton 27th Nov, Palmerston North 29th Nov,
Wellington 1st Dec, Nelson 4th Dec and Christchurch 8th Dec. We welcome you to join with us to help create a learning
area that will work with our children that have difficulty both inside and outside he classroom.
Cost $150.00 + GST Professional - Parents please contact Moira on details below.