Ensuring learning readiness in the school beginner*
Written and presented by Shirley J Kokot DEd
*Also available as a training course for teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists etc. Read more about our training courses here.
“Wired to Learn” is a package consisting of a DVD and an accompanying user’s manual. It is the first in a series that attempts to share with teachers, parents and other professionals some underlying reasons for a child’s inability to thrive in school.
Specifically, it addresses the importance of movement for brain development. Ways of assessing children for the presence or absence of certain reflex movements that can interfere with brain development are shown.
In addition, activities to help are demonstrated. The DVD clearly demonstrates how to assess as well as showing children engaging in the different movements.
The User’s Manual is a 110-page publication containing similar material to the DVD and allowing for ‘ready reference’ after the DVD has been viewed. It includes photographs of the various movements.
| This package is more than merely a book and a DVD. It empowers parents, teachers, psychologists and other therapists to work proactively with children. As such, it replaces our previous one-day course well-known as ‘Funda Fun’. In other words, it is a DIY training course! |
The DVD and the manual contain four parts:
Part 1
An introduction to the brain’s early development, how this impacts on a child’s learning readiness and the role of movement in the critical period from conception to 1 year of age.
Part 2
A demonstration with children of different ways of assessing the presence or absence of reflexes known to reflect normal brain development.
Part 3
A variety of activities are demonstrated with children to help correct abnormal reflex patterns.
Part 4
Possible the most valuable of all! A demonstration of a Development Movement Sequence, consisting of 18 movements, for use with either individuals or groups of pre- and primary school children to prevent or overcome learning difficulties.
Some comments from those using the programme:
“The results are stunning … The school I’m working with can’t believe what they see and are considering our school as a ‘model’ for others in the district.”
- H.B. Educational Psychologist, Gauteng
“We see improvements in coordination, listening ability, focus, midline problems and other areas.”
- Grade 0 teachers, Meredale Primary School, Johannesburg.
(See a video of their testimony under Video Gallery)
“These are examples of handwriting changes in just one month on the programme. Unbelievable. Their class teacher is astounded”
- M-L S. Learning Support Teacher, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
