In a bid to rescue children from reading and learning difficulties which is one of the major problems most Ghanaian youth are battling with, REMALJ Jolly Clinic, an NGO has organized a 2-day training workshop to sensitize kids on Jolly Phonics techniques. Over 20 basic and preschool teachers within the Accra Metropolis participated in the workshop.. The participants were taken through the 5 basic skills of the Jolly Phonics concept which includes letter formation, blending, identification of sounds in words and tricky words to adequately and efficiently handle children to be able to read and write with ease. They were also given practical advice and tips on the pace of teaching as well as techniques that can be used on children who are struggling. They were also given an overview of how literacy has been taught over the years and the research findings. In addition, participants were trained on the preparation of teaching and learning materials that will enable them deliver lessons in their classrooms effectively. The workshop was aimed at equipping teachers with thorough understanding of the principles of Jolly Phonics and the benefits that it can bring to their schools and classrooms. According to the Chief Executive Officer of REMALJ Jolly Reading Clinic, Ms. Emefa Gyamfi, her “motivation is to see Ghanaian children being able to read and write at a very early stage in life that propels him or her for a better academic excellence”. Jolly Phonics is a concept of teaching reading and writing developed by Chris Jolly from UK. It’s a fun and child centered approach to teaching literacy through synthetic phonics thus teaches the letter sounds and blending these sounds to achieve full pronunciation of whole words. The technique is used to teach kids how to read through the use of sounds, helping them build their reading capabilities at an early age. Children are also able to improve their English spelling and pronunciation which helps them in developing good communication skills. Jolly Phonics has proven to be a solution helping children overcome their reading and learning difficulties since its introduction in the country. Speaking in an interview, Ms. Emefa Gyamfi who also doubles as the Private Schools Coordinator, Prestea Huni-Valley District of the GES lamented about the attitude of most teachers who after completion of such courses in Jolly Phonic never bother to implement it in their various schools so that the children too can benefit. She therefore urged all teachers across the country to “chase the knowledge because some of us have done the second degree before coming to know about Jolly Phonics and we’ve never regretted”. At the end of the program, each participant was handed a certificate of participation. Ms. Sheila Hammond, the Proprietress of Totyfant Daycare Centre, also a participant described the concept as “fantastic”. “I’ve been finding ways that will excite children to learn and I’m glad to have found Jolly Phonics at last. I’ll be introducing it to children in my school to improve their reading and writing skills,” she concluded. REMALJ Jolly Clinic has been instrumental in helping promote children welfare through offering them sound literacy foundation in education. Since inception two years ago it has covered extensively many towns in the Western Region with series of training for teachers on Jolly Phonics techniques including parts of Volta Region and some areas in Accra and the Eastern Region and intends to cover the whole country. By Joseph Kobla Wemakor | 3news.com |Ghana]]>
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