Developmental Education

Developmental education focuses both on improving the learning habits of special-needs students and keeping them engaged in the process. The programs at the Center School are aimed at breaking the unproductive cycles of special-needs students and replacing them with healthy types of education that cater to their strengths. Dyslexia strikes about 5 to 8 percent of school-age children and involves difficulties with processing information. Many dyslexic children have problems with language retention and often clutter or mix up words when they read or write. It can be difficult to diagnose, though a number of tests are available to pinpoint the exact area where the child is having difficulty. While there is no cure for dyslexia, children can overcome it with the right approach. As such, early diagnosis is important.

Developmental Education Is Based on Breaking Bad habits

Going hand in hand with difficulties in reading and writing at school are exceptional abilities in more abstract fields. Many dyslexic children are adept at music and the arts and respond eagerly to diffuse creative exercises. A strong developmental-education program can use such proclivities to engender comprehension and retention skills, finding alternate paths to learning. At the Center School, we focus on phonetics and language use, helping dyslexic children to improve their communication skills. This has the additional benefit of reducing their frustration and allows them to find better ways of approaching difficult tasks. Since no two children are alike, our developmental education program emphasizes personal attention, with tag-teaming teachers who can spend time on an individual child's needs. Summer sessions are available in addition to our full-time curriculum during the regular school year. Contact us at 2450 Hamilton Ave., Abington, PA 19001, by phone at (215) 657-2200, by fax at (215) 657-2646, or via email at centerschool@centerschoolpa.org.