EDUCATION

On average one in seven people in the workplace today will bring a personal issue to work with them, greatly affecting productivity and personal job satisfaction. Seeking help is often difficult or left too late but doing so early can often prevent a relatively minor concern becoming a major problem.

It is in a child's school years that many problems first surface. A capable and bright student may be unable to reach his or her potential or show organisation and a positive approach to their learning. Social, environmental and family issues can see a child bogged down to the extent that personal progress is hampered.

At Childlogic, with personal mentoring in one-on-one sessions, many of these issues can be resolved. Students learn to unlock their true ability, deal with external issues and put them into perspective. This results in happier, more focused students and family members. Childlogic helps students set goals and remains in contact with them between sessions to monitor their progress. Your child can:

• Enjoy an improved quality of life

• Achieve more in less time

• Better their communication skills

• Improve study skills

• Discover the joy of learning.

• Feel better about all aspects of their life.

Childlogic also provides full assessment using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, from the Psychological Corporation, to accurately assess the achievement and capability of a student. They then make recommendations and monitor your child's progress, removing the maze of uncertainty in their child's education that parents are faced with today.

Can't do times tables? 

Parents often remark that their children experience difficulty retaining their maths times tables. Sometimes difficulty in learning times tables can be a symptom of a learning difficulty, which, if not correctly identified and remediated, can severely hinder your child's literacy and numeracy development.

The truth is that many children struggle to learn times tables because their brain thinks in a unique 'creative' way - almost like a person with a messy desk while searching for important pieces of paper. When learning tables, these children think multiplication facts have to be memorised one by one (that's why he gives up) instead of seeing patterns that simplify the task. They can't see patterns or relationships between numbers. For example, your child may know 5 + 7 = 12 but can't answer 12 = 5 + ?, or 8 x 4 = 32 but can't solve 32 ∏ 8 = ?.

The Reading and Learning Centres specialise in fixing the underlying cause of these difficulties. The centre is recognised by the Education Department of WA as a specialist clinic for children at educational risk and was opened 10 years ago at the request of frustrated parents searching for a place to fix their child's problem. If we can be of any help to your child, please phone 9343-0333.

Specialist help now and in the Summer Holidays
- Julia Gilmore (M.Ed., B.Ed., Dip.Tch)

"Nick tries very hard at school, but reading and writing is a struggle for him. His teacher says that he is average but I know that he could do better!"

"I suspect that Simon has learning difficulties because his spelling and handwriting are terrible and he avoids story writing."

'John and Melissa are in Year 6 and 7 now and they are both struggling in maths. How will they cope in high school?"

"James is in Year 9 and he still can't write a proper essay and the maths they are doing at the moment is really hard."

'How do I know if Chris is ready for Year One?"

Parents often contact me looking for practical advice and specialist intervention.

Key issues raised by parents are:

• Readiness for the next grade, especially for those entering years 1 and 8.

• Students falling back academically over the long summer break.

• Learning difficulties, dyslexia and the provision of support in maths and English.

• Extension: bright children being held back or not correctly identified.

• Behavioural difficulties: lack of cooperation at home and/or school.

• Self-esteem.

A full assessment is highly recommended and must consider the academic, physical, social and emotional needs of each child. A plan of action can then be designed.

Julia Gilmore is an experienced Specialist Teacher and Educational Consultant. Bookings are now being taken for Term 4 and the January holiday booster programme. Phone 9402 5080 or visit the website: a1learning.q-net.net.au

A Catholic education from $3 per week 

Families that hold a current means-tested Health Care Card will soon have access to significant tuition fee discounts at Western Australian Catholic schools and colleges under a new initiative announced by the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia.

In an Australian first for the non-government education sector, holders of the Health Care Card will receive discounts that equate to $3 per week ($120 pa) for primary school students and $20 per week ($800 pa) for secondary school students. Currently, the average annual tuition fees at Catholic primary and secondary schools stand at $700 and $2,300 respectively.

The result of two years of consultation, research and development, the initiative is intended to address the current situation whereby some 50 per cent of Catholic families do not access a Catholic education for their children.

Having been trialed in two primary schools this year, the system-wide fee discounts will come into effect at the start of the new 2005 school year. The discounts will be available to all families that qualify, both Catholic and non-Catholic, and will apply to current and new students.

Costs associated with specialised areas of study, excursions and general school levies may be charged in addition to the reduced tuition fees.

The enrolment of new students will be conditional upon the availability of places and subject to the criteria contained within the Catholic Education Commission of WA Student Enrolment Policy.

Ron Dullard, the Director of Catholic Education in WA, said the initiative was fundamental to ensuring that no child is denied a Catholic education due to the inability to pay fees, as outlined in the Enrolment Policy.

"We would hope the initiative will act to provide greater access to Catholic education for those families with limited financial means," he said. "The automatic qualification will also ensure that the dignity of these families is respected wholeheartedly."

For more information contact the Catholic Education Office on 1800 213 143 or www.ceo.wa.edu.au and click on Health Care Card.

Kids can cope with their feelings
-Rochelle Castine, Clinical Psychologist

Have things ever been going well - good mood, great day - then suddenly, with no warning, it's changed and you feel terrible. You may be sad, scared, worried, angry or generally blah!

For most of us this doesn't happen too often, but if it starts, we either have some warning to help us cope, or some way of understanding and interpreting what's happening. Thankfully, we also usually know that it will pass.

For kids this may not be the case. Many kids miss the warning signs and don't know they can do anything about it. They're just victims to it, expecting others to cope, or misbehaving or messing up to stop the helpless "blah". Worse still, they often can't say what's wrong. There are just good and bad feelings with no distinctions.

Yet even little kids can learn about feelings and how to better manage them. For more information or help contact Rochelle on 9244 5212.

Let the success continue...

Education in Perth received a boost in recent weeks with the introduction of another new Kip McGrath Education Centre in Spearwood, bringing the total number to sixteen in the metropolitan area and ten in country WA. All centres offer private and personal tuition for primary and secondary students who are, for variety reasons, under achieving, experiencing learning difficulties, or need help to keep ahead.

The director of the Fremantle and South Lake Kip McGrath Education Centre, Ken Kent, explained that children can experience difficulties for a variety of reasons including changing of schools, illnesses or a lack of confidence. Children are given free assessments and a detailed analysis of the assessment is then discussed with parents.

An appropriate programme is established providing individualised, personalised tutoring using specially designed computer programmes, "back to basics" materials with high interest activities, workbooks and audio-tapes. Such attention to detail ensures children experience constant and accelerated progress leading to improved learning outcomes as quickly as possible.

According to Mr Kent, the Australian-designed programme has been successfully helping children overcome problems with spelling, reading, English and mathematics for over twenty-five years. It is Australia's largest tutoring business with over four hundred and fifty centers around the world.

Mr Kent, a recently retired principal, is typical of the centres' directors and tutors. They are highly qualified and experienced teachers committed to giving local parents an opportunity to embrace the Kip McGrath Education Centres' theme: "give your child a brighter future".

For more information contact:

Balcatta 9240 2335
Fremantle 9438 1960
Joondalup 9301 2334
Kelmscott 9390 0200
Maddington 9493 4483
Mundaring 9295 6255
Morley 9272 2075
Midvale, Myaree and North Perth 9250 1389
Rockingham 9528 6411
Spearwood 9418 8155
South Lake 9414 8088.

Or see the yellow pages for a center near your or visit www.kipmcgrath.com.au

Kidz News
- by Victoria Carlton, International Centre For Excellence

Dear Victoria, 

I agree with your front-page article last month. ADD kids are often smart and misunderstood. My child has made excellent progress this year but still has difficulties with concentration. He is nine years old, intelligent but always in trouble for talking and moving around in class.
Renee, Melville

Dear Renee,

It is always difficult for active children to conform to the classroom. Ask the teacher if he can be given the chance to move as much as possible. We have suggested to many teachers that they allow active children the chance to use "doodle pads" to help them concentrate and listen. We are offering a seven-week course for 'Sparky Brain' children to teach them how to concentrate and give of their best in all situations. Please ring ICE for more details.

Courses this term for parents, children and teachers

• Seven-week course for 'Sparky Brain' children to help all ADD children reach potential.

• ADD information night for parents and teachers: Wednesday 8 December 7-9:30pm

• Free 45-minute course for teachers held in your own school venue.

• Tuition for primary and high school children

• New 'Rainbow' learning program for children of all ages and abilities.

• Remedial/specialised dyslexic help/all learning difficulties provided

• Enrichment and challenge courses

• EQ4KIDZ: self-confidence and learning to be in touch with emotions. This course improves self-motivation and general well being.

• Kinesiology for Kids: parents and children

ICE now has a speech therapist to provide any speech therapy needed. Specialist Stutterers service available. KIDZTALK program to help all children improve communication skills.

Parents are encouraged to send their queries to Victoria Carlton, C/O ICE, 36 Beverley Tce, South Guildford 6055

For information contact 9478 3323 or 0409 911 135 or email victoriacarlton@ice-au.com 

Early learning for future success
- by Nicola Donald

Aaron Nguyen's parents enrolled him in the Kumon Maths Programme at the South Perth Education Centre at the age of seven. They wanted Aaron to have strong basics in maths, develop a healthy study habit and to stay on the right track in school. They believe education holds a key to future success and wanted to ensure Aaron had all the opportunities he desired in life.

Aaron is a bubbly, energetic and kind ten-year-old who puts his whole heart into everything he does, and the results speak for themselves. He is three years ahead of his peers in maths at Kumon, he has won awards for writing competitions, he was awarded the most committed player in his soccer team and still manages to have time to be a member of the school band and choir.

When asked what he likes best about Kumon, Aaron says he loves getting trophies and medals at Kumon, but the best thing about achieving at such a high level is that he can give his friends assistance in maths when they need help at school.

Aaron's Supervisor at Kumon is Brad Woodbrook, who says that his highlight moment with Aaron was when, "Aaron started high-school level work and was awarded the highest award out of all the students in the South Perth Kumon Education Centre."

Kumon Education Centres are located across the Perth metropolitan area. For more information about Kumon please call 1800 458 666 or visit www.kumon.com.au.

The store for growing minds

Early Learning Centre (ELC), with stores in Karrinyup and Booragoon, is now established as Perth's premier retailer of high-quality, educational toys and games for newborn to seven year olds. ELC designs, manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of toys that encourage the development of social skills and healthy play habits by promoting interaction with other children and outdoor and physical activities.

According to Dr Catherine Neilsen-Hewett, lecturer in childhood development from Macquarie University and consultant to ELC: "Children's early experiences and interactions have a profound and lasting effect on their future development. Through play, children learn about themselves and others, develop language skills, solve problems and make sense of the world around them."

ELC was started in 1975 in the UK by John Beale, a father frustrated by the lack of quality toys available for his young children and appalled at the trend towards violent and anti-social toys. Thirty years on ELC has over 260 in the UK stores and is an iconic brand much loved by parents and children alike. ELC started in Australia in 2001, currently has 17 stores in all mainland capitals including the two Perth stores and is rapidly gaining the same reputation in Australia as it enjoys in the UK.

Every ELC toy encourages the development of one or more of the ELC's six essential learning skills: creativity and imagination, coordination and balance, sensory perception, dexterity and accuracy, communication and social kills and thought process and mental agility.

ELC toys are exclusively available from Early Learning Centre stores nationally, or via ELC Direct Sales at www.earlylearningcentre.com.au  For store locations or general enquiries, call 1300 850 123.

Parents seminar: developing and learning with puzzles 

Puzzles and jigsaws are a basic part of every toy collection but what do children learn from doing them? Are your puzzles too easy or too hard for your child? How many pieces should they be able to manage? Marie Yuncken, a paediatric occupational therapist with many years experience in using play to develop children's skills, will conduct the next workshop on puzzles at Playways.

Marie will help with ideas to make puzzles interesting and fun, even for those children who find them difficult. Her workshop will help parents select the most appropriate puzzles for the age of their child and look at enhancing their ongoing learning skills.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday 24 November 2004 at 7.15 pm (registration 6.50pm) and will last approximately two hours. Refreshments will be provided. Space is limited so be sure to book early.

The cost of the workshop is $7.00 per person (or per couple). For more information or for any Playways products please phone 9381 3368 or email Playways on info@playwayswa.com.au or visit us at our new website www.playwayswa.com.au

Motivation is the key

Make Reading Fun is an innovative true and tried course. Although the course is geared for solid learning and is well structured, students can feel they belong to a "reading club" as this relieves the stigma of attending a "class for dummies" as some children view it amongst themselves.

Students can join at any time.

A common weakness for many students is putting words on paper using correct

• Spelling

• Grammar

• Punctuation

• Sentence structure

• Tenses

The course covers the above as well as:

• Phonics

• Speed reading

• Comprehension

• Spelling

• Summaries

Some fun activities to try at home are

• Remembering licence plate numbers (memory)

• Breaking up street names (syllables)

• Composing jingles (spelling aid/writing)

A positive change in attitude, confidence and self-esteem are developed as small successes are experienced.

Courses Wednesday at the Morley Sport and Recreation Centre and Thursday at the Wembley Community Centre.

For more information contact Maggie on 9375 7764 or 0438 946 621