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When
tutoring isnít helping
Brad Hutchinson ñ Audiologist/ Speech Pathologist
Claire Corbitt ñ Occupational Therapist
While tutoring can be successful
for some kids, it may not address othersí learning needs. Learning
researchers have shown that students who have trouble listening in the
classroom, concentrating and following multiple instructions, need to
develop their underlying cognitive skills of memory, attention,
processing and sequencing in order to achieve their academic
potential.
Kids donít learn how
to learn at school. When children enter school itís assumed
they will be able to sit still, listen to their teacher and absorb and
remember what they learn but this isnít easy for some students. Many
of these kids attend tutoring once or twice a week, yet quite often
this doesnít hit the nail on the head. By year three or four these
kids have fallen behind, usually despite typical or even above-average
intelligence. Many can have poor self esteem as a result of their
learning difficulties.
Fortunately, some of the
worldís top learning researchers have developed an interactive and
fun computer programme to build studentsí underlying learning skills
and give them a significant learning boost in a very short period of
time.
The Fast ForWord programme is a
12 week, home-based brain training course that involves systematic, intensive, frequent and adaptive
mental exercises that have been designed to gradually improve memory,
thinking speed, concentration skills, thought organisation, literacy
development, comprehension, problem solving, objective reasoning,
motivation for learning and self-esteem.
This programme is unique because it has been designed to build stronger
and more efficient neural pathways so that students learn better,
faster and easier. In addition, Sonic Learningís team of health and
education professionals monitor each participantís training and
provide parents with weekly progress reports.
Suitable for almost all primary and high school students, particularly
those needing a learning boost, Fast ForWord provides students with
something they canít get through either classroom learning or
tutoring. For more information call
Sonic Learning on 9271 7711 or visit www.soniclearning.com.au
Courageous
kids
by Victoria Carlton, International Centre For Excellence
There are many courageous kids at ICE - kids who are three
and four years behind with literacy skills. These kids arrive with
their self-esteem in tatters and a very pessimistic attitude towards
learning. The ICE teachers work very hard to help these children
realise they can do it!
These students donít usually need expensive alternative
programs. They need identification of problems, learning style and a
practical learning program that will give success. Victoria Carlton
assesses children who have ìfallen through the cracksî at school
and have huge deficits in learning. She identifies their difficulties
and places them on programs that work with their learning style so
they achieve success quickly.
All learning programs are chosen by Victoria and she writes
many programs to help children with specific needs. ìAt ICE we
mentally tear off the labels as children come in the door. My teachers
are taught to be educational scientists - to analyse each child and
provide for their educational needs,î says Ms Carlton.
The teachers at ICE use ìbrainñcompatibleî teaching
methods and utilise research into the brain and the hopeful findings
of neuro-plasticity as shown by researchers such as Norman Doidge. The
ICE centre is packed with exciting multi-sensory learning materials to
help children make swift progress.
Victoria offers assessments and programs to suit all
children. She passionately believes that every child can experience
success. ìWe have strayed too far away from the basics and our kids
are suffering. They need kindness, precise teaching and above all a
sense of hope. They need to be shown they can learn,î she says.
Victoriaís EQ4KIDZ program helps children understand
their emotions and lift motivation, resilience and self-esteem.
Therapists and teachers all over the world are being trained to use
EQ4KIDZ.
Victoria offers courses for parents and teachers. ICE is
hosting a full day Parent Conference on Saturday November 6 where
parents will learn the best ways to help children reach their
potential.
Visit Victoriaís website at www.ice-au.com
or call ICE on 9271 4200 for information or to book into her
transformative programs.
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