Informative Articles – Do and Learn Site

Category: Informative Articles

2022-05-12 by Heide Cornelius 0 Comments

VVA se Leeskonferensie

“As ’n kind kan lees, kan hy vorder in die lewe”: ’n onderhoud met Chareldine van der Merwe oor die VVA se lewensbelangrike leeskonferensie

Só begin ’n onderhoud wat aan die begin van hierdie skooljaar met ’n skoolhoof van Kuilsrivier, wat verkies het om anoniem te bly, gevoer is. Lees die onderhoud hier. Die skoolhoof het oor die situasie in sy skool gepraat. Die verlies van onderwystyd het ’n katastrofiese effek op baie skole, opvoeders en kinders gehad.

Dit is ook so deur Faeed Amardien ondervind, en ook deur Earl Basson.

Die ATKV se VVA het op 7 Mei in samewerking met die WKOD (Metro-Oos Onderwysdistrik) ’n leeskonferensie by CTLI in Kuilsrivier aangebied.

Lees Volle artikel hier.
https://www.litnet.co.za/as-n-kind-kan-lees-kan-hy-vorder-in-die-lewe-n-onderhoud-met-chareldine-van-der-merwe-oor-die-vva-se-lewensbelangrike-leeskonferensie/

Informative Articles

2021-10-08 by Nicolette van den Heever 0 Comments

Ready to Learn with Do and Learn

At Do and Learn, we advocate the importance of holistic development and learning as the starting point of reading!

To understand the concept of reading a person needs to understand the connection between learning and reading. It is important to understand that learning is a process that needs to be developed. For the process of learning, one needs to have the skills. Physical, emotional and cognitive development is the cornerstone of all learning. The Do and Learn methodology and program can be linked to many educational theories and research promoting development from the beginning and enhancing the experience of learning.

Rudolf Steiner described the first stage of development (up to the age of 7, the age of the change of teeth) as being primarily reliant on the child’s physical organism. Steiner advocates holistic healthy child development and learning, preferring knowledge gained through personal experience, insight and accumulated understanding regarding child development (Steiner, 2000).

Jean Piaget’s theory in the 1940’s advocated that physical movement formed the basis for cognitive, social, and emotional development. Piaget’s theory suggested that problems in movement could be linked to delayed language development; and if sensory development is impaired, the development of intellect is interrupted and learning is delayed (Goddard, 2005).

Later Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism (Vygotsky, 1978). A social constructivist perspective sees knowledge as actively constructed by individuals, groups and society and not simply transferred. The theoretical framework arises from the process of mediation, especially the key concepts of zone of proximal development (ZPD).

Research in the 20’th century is confirming the age-old views of the above theories and the Do and Learn methodology, Goddard (2005) states that learning can take place at any stage of development but quality learning is more effective if it takes place at the same time of Neurological ‘readiness’. Goddard, (2005) states that:” Learning is not just about reading, writing and math…. Learning begins in space… The years of optimum right hemisphere development are years when learning is still strongly linked to sensory-motor activity.”

Dr. Caroline Leaf (2018) describes learning as the creative reconceptualization of knowledge, the redesigning of memory controlled by active and dynamic self-regulation.

Where, how and when learning occurs:

Dr. Caroline Leaf (2018) created a five-step learning process defining learning as the process of thinking and building useful memory with understanding. Dr. Leaf advocates going beyond mindfulness into an effective knowledge-gaining process that increases and develop the information you receive in an effective way for whatever purpose you need it. Dr. Leaf states that we need to incorporate understanding and using mindset by activating our thinking, learning to build useful memory. Intense, targeted, deliberate mind training improves just about every aspect of our thinking, learning, intelligence and brain power (Dr. Leaf, 2018).

Neuroplasticity involves the changes occurring in the brain as a result of thinking and lifestyle choices. It allows the mastering of simple skills and sports and allows us to train ourselves to be more positive. Neuroplasticity is the process of deliberate, intentional thinking changing intellectual, cognitive, emotional, social and academic performance.

Dr. Leaf’s (2018) research dating from the eighties led her to the development of the Five step learning process. The following figure illustrates the correlation between the Do and Learn methodology and dr. Leaf’s five step learning process.

Dr. Leaf Five Step Learning Process	Do and Learn Methodology
Input: read, listen, watch	Using all sensory and motor systems
Reflect: ask, answer, discuss	Repetition, association, sound recognition, memory, sequence
Write: create the Metacognitive	Visual sound introduction cards, word building cards
Recheck: check for accuracy	Memory games, matching games
Output: reteach	Repetition, Workbooks

(Do and Learn Activities for educators and parent’s booklet included in Do and Learn reading package)

Taking in account the Goddard (2005) and Leaf (2018) perspectives on development and learning it would be highly irresponsible to ignore holistic development of the child promoting premature cognitive-intellectual development. Continuous research on effective development and quality learning promotes the perspective that intellectual development and learning is enhanced when both hemispheres are simultaneously stimulated.

Balance (Vestibular system) is the oldest sensory system believed to be 0.6 billion years old in comparison to hearing having evolved a mere 0.3 billion years. Balance facilitate orientation and postural behavior (Goddard, 2005). Balance is the ability of the body to function within the force of gravity and knowing your position in space. Balance supports vision by giving stability to the image on the retina despite movement.

Poor Muscle tone
Frequent falling & clumsiness frequently dropping or knocking things
Continuous accidents with children on playground
Avoidance and fear of movement or height’s
No fear of heights
Excessive spinning or rocking
Poorly developed sense of body image
Inability to mentally rotate or reverse objects in space

Motion sickness (Eye movement, avoid swings on playground)
Vertigo (Eye movement, writing from blackboard, scared of heights)
Poor sensory-integration
Perception of position
Spatial orientation (Left / Right, orientation, sense of direction)
Gravitational security (Clumsy behavior, continuous falling of chair)

Dyslexia & Dyspraxia
Poor attention
Hyper or under active
Language impairments
Emotional challenges
Anxiety
Phobias
Panic disorders
Writing / reading (Left to right)
Reversals when reading and writing

Standing on one leg for 10 seconds altering from left to right
Standing on one leg while touching own nose and back
Walking heel to toe on straight 5-meter line
Drawing an infinity sign
Drawing image of self

Including sensory integration and involving the whole body with physical activity for each new concept or skill taught enhances high intensity-controlled learning. Controlled and well-planned input ensures high and quality output.

Activity	Hemisphere involved
Tune in your learners’ ears for reading with simple songs	Right brain
Encourage learners to repeat and say aloud well-known stories (not read) as you read them	Left brain
Develop physical games, chants, rhymes and songs to help memorize sequential information	Right brain
Play physical games to enhance spatial awareness	Left and right brain
Using advanced apparatus encouraging balance and planning (trampoline, bouncing ball, wobble boards)	Left and right brain

Intra-Uterine, primitive and postural reflexes are the signposts of development and supports the learner’s developmental stages from conception up to 3 ½ years of age. The reflex system is complex innate stereotype responses to specific stimuli to encourage specific development until the child develops voluntary control over specific functions. Reflexes are the primary teachers of basic motor skills. The more a child moves the better their control over movement becomes. Active reflexes may be the cause of certain developmental or learning barriers.

Clumsiness
Fidgeting
Poor attention / concentration
Inability to sit still on chair
Poor muscle tone
Poor posture
Poor core stability
Tactile sensitivity / Tactile dormant
Behavior not age appropriate

There is always a reason for low performance or the inability to read with comprehension. Learning is an action developed through play and repetition. This makes the Do and Learn programme and methodology the ideal solution for all parents and educators.

Informative Articles

2021-10-08 by Nicolette van den Heever 0 Comments

Enhance Development Foundations

Enhancement of neurological and learning development supporting school readiness and learning support.

Movement is the first language.

Movement strengthens & stimulates the development of neuronal pathways between the brain and body.

Neurons are unspecified during development, in other words not intended for a specific skill or function. It is written by Dr. Sally Goddard and several others describe research as equal potential for development.

Movement is involved in all sensory & motor perceptions.

Stages of development reflect development of the brain.

Informative Articles

2021-10-06 by Nicolette van den Heever 0 Comments

Establish Mathematical Foundations

Through development and interaction with movement and balance, stimulation of spatial orientation and establishment of gravitational certainty of the child in his environment, connections are formed that lead to higher thinking and functions. The equipment needed is for language acquisition, reading and math skills.

By jumping, rolling, walking, clapping rhythmically and other motor movements and sensory stimulation, the foundation of formal learning & mathematics is laid. Do and Learn’s UMG programme makes math like children’s games with easy exercises that are explained step by step.

Number concept development / Counting / Place value Patterns / Problem solving / Space & Shape
Context & Out of Context Calculations
Measurement & Data.

Informative Articles

2021-10-06 by Nicolette van den Heever 0 Comments

Establish Reading Foundations

The brain likes controlled, high intensity and repetitive experiences. Several research in the field show that for effective learning and capturing, repetition is the key to learning.

The learning of reading, language and mathematics in the Do and Learn program takes place with movement, play and development. The learning takes place holistically. In other words, the whole body and all the learning modalities are involved in the learning experience.

Goal orientation, self-directed learning and self-esteem are top priority.

Who can use the program?

Preschool & Grade R / Foundation Phase
Learning support
Adult Learning / Immigrants