EDUCATION

Simple Signs helps hearing babies communicate earlier

Babies and toddlers can experience a lot of frustration when their baby talk is not understood.

Extensive research shows that teaching normally developing, hearing babies to use "baby sign language" as well as speech, boosts their ability to communicate effectively. When babies learn to use a variety of hand signs they can begin to tell you they need a "change" or want some "milk" before they have mastered verbal skills.

Samantha Bachofen, doting mother, speech pathologist and founder of Simple Signs, began signing with her baby soon after he was born. Among the many benefits she found, it:

ï increased her sons vocabulary; 
ï facilitated understanding for both parent and child and; 
ï significantly reduced frustration due to more successful communication.

Simple Signs is designed to teach simple 'key-word' signs such as "milk" and "more" (from Australian Sign Language) to normally-developing, hearing babies and toddlers through their hearing care-givers.

For details about Simple Signs and classes call Samantha on 0414 521 244.

Help with reading, writing, spelling and maths
By Julia Gilmore (M.Ed.,B.Ed.,Dip.Tch)

"My child is smart but is having problems with maths and spelling and her self-esteem is really low."

"I am not happy with my child's essay writing.  The spelling, punctuation, presentation, sentence structure and editing skills are very poor."

"We know there is a problem with his learning but he won't listen to us and the teacher is too busy with so many other children in the class."

These are just some of the comments common to parents with children who are not achieving their full potential at school.

There are many reasons why a primary or secondary student is not coping at school.  The main subject areas where they consistently need help are reading, writing, spelling, handwriting and maths.

Some students have learning difficulties, while others just need a boost of confidence, but all of them require an individual assessment and learning programme that will help them to achieve the right academic levels for their abilities.

A specialist, highly qualified, experienced teacher who can individually assess and assist each student is the most highly recommended course of action.  Positive changes can happen immediately.

For assistance and advice please call Julia from A1 Learning on 9402 5080. Website: a1learning.q-net.net.au 

Success in life begins early

Being successful in later life starts as early as Kindergarten and primary school. Kindy often lays the foundation to socialise and "learn by doing". However, the real struggle may begin at primary school for no apparent reason.

"Children's underlying language issues can affect their ability to learn within a more formal school setting," believes Christine Figueiredo, Specialist Speech Pathologist from Your Turn Speech Pathology.

Daydreaming or disrupting others at school can indicate kids are missing essential base skills. Difficulties including language comprehension, expressive problems, poor awareness of sounds in words and auditory processing difficulties can hinder kids from developing peer relationships and mature spelling and reading skills.

Christine has extensive specialist skills and assists kids from the Belmont, Redcliffe, Rivervale, Vic Park, Mt Lawley, Inglewood, Bayswater, Morley, Bassendean, Guildford and Lockridge and surrounding areas.  She can be contacted on 9477 3573 for more information.

Protecting kids from your problems

Sam pulled the doona over her head and clutched her teddy bear closer. Since Mum and Dad started fighting, she felt very alone and sad and it helped to have Teddy to cuddle. Sometimes Sam strained to hear what they were saying and sometimes she wished she couldn't hear any of it. She put her fingers in her ears and pulled her pillow over her head.

Often Sam tried to work out what she had done to make Mum and Dad fight. If she could be really good, maybe they'd stop and everything would be okay again.  She tried not to let Mum and Dad know how unhappy and how very worried she was. That might make everything even worse. 

Tears welled up in her eyes.  Sam wanted Mum or Dad to come in and give her a big hug - but they were too busy fighting.

Witnessing conflict between their parents is a heavy emotional burden for children.  It can interrupt their social and school lives, and affect other areas of their development. 

Important things adults can do to protect children include:

ï Deal with conflict in ways that are right away from them.
ï Assure them the problems are not their fault.
ï Let them know you are trying to sort the problems out.
ï Make time to really listen to how they feel.

Quality care and education in Padbury

Padbury Education and Child Care Centre is a community based, non-profit organisation that provides quality care and education for children from newborn to five years of age. Padbury Education and Child Care Centre aims to provide a child-initiated programme in a nurturing environment.

The centre also offer Before School Care, Midday Kindy pick-ups and After School Care from local schools in a specifically designed building.

Padbury's four-year-old programme provides a planned, stimulating indoor and outdoor environment for children to explore and learn. Their experienced primary school teacher observes and values the heritage, skills, abilities and knowledge of each child and this is built upon in her program.

There are currently vacancies available for the three to five-year-old age group.

Padbury Education and Child Care Centre operates Monday to Friday, 7am -6pm, and is located off  Marmion Avenue. Contact the office on 9307 3421.

Holiday boost for learning
by Victoria Carlton, International Centre for Excellence

This is the time teachers begin to identify learning "gaps" for some students. Many are referred to us from schools for remediation and catch-up. Given help at this stage of the year, children can still recover confidence and improve basic literacy and numeracy. This is particularly important for students with problems that may impede learning, including dyslexia and ADD.

Our 'Booster Courses' in the April holidays will help children catch up and have a successful year. Courses offered are:

ï 'Booster Courses' - primary and high school (English and maths)
ï 'Mind Mapping' - primary and high school, for organisation of thinking, writing and revision skills
ï 'Study Skills' - high school students
ï 'Budding Scientists' - Primary
ï 'Emotional Intelligence' (EQ4KIZ) - self-esteem, confidence, communication, motivation, bullying issues and much more!
ï 'Sparky Brains' - a very effective course for students with ADD and ADHD.

There are a few places left in our 'Return to Balance' courses. This program combines kinesiology and best-practice tuition to help students with learning difficulties of any sort.

To give your children a learning 'Boost' ready for Term Two, call the International Centre for Excellence on 9478 3323 or 0409 911 135

Making and keeping friends

Most parents say that what they want most for their child is to have friends, enjoy life and be happy.

Yes, the icing on the cake is for a child to like and do well at school and sport.  However, if their child is left out of play, treated badly by others, or often in conflict with peers, parents say that all the other success somehow seems unimportant.

"People skills" - being able to be warm and friendly, approach groups, be a good listener, handle conflict and be assertive - are extremely important, not only in making and keeping friendships but later on in getting and keeping a job.

 The good news is that these skills can be learned - and the earlier you start the better!

The Kidzmix Program is a unique group program developed by an experienced therapist for children five to 12 years (school Years One to Seven) that coaches these skills.  Phone 9382 8955. www.kidzmix.com

Parents see results fast

Parents have been amazed at the changes in their children's maths after just a few weeks at NumberWorks. "It's only been three weeks, and Karan is understanding fractions so much better," said Vidya Kumar. "Francesca is so chuffed with herself, knowing that she can do it now. She comes to me and asks me to test her," says Nicki McGrath.

NumberWorks is the maths tuition specialist providing face-to-face teaching, supported by specialised software, for students from pre-primary to Year 10. Students at NumberWorks have an individualised programme designed around their needs and constantly monitored by the teaching manager.

"The girls' school teachers have commented on their improvement," says Darren Hultgren.

A free introductory lesson, including an assessment, gives parents and their children a chance to try out NumberWorks and see for themselves what a difference it can make.

Phone Janice at NumberWorks Subiaco on 9388 3727 to arrange a suitable time.

Bookings for the Holiday Course and Term Two are now being taken.