ABOUT ME
I'm a qualified and experienced Foundation Phase teacher and Remedial Therapist.
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I've been involved in education for 32 years in various teaching positions. I specialise in "Foundation Phase" (Grd 0 - Grd 3) teaching.
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After 10 years of mainstream Foundation Phase teaching at a number of private schools, I returned to Wits University to study Remedial Education part-time while I continued teaching.
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On qualifying, I moved more towards Remedial schools and taught at Delta Park, Crossroads and Japari schools. I thoroughly enjoyed the Remedial teaching and became very interested in helping children with reading difficulties in particular.
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DOes my child need Help?
The modern classroom is a very busy, stimulating and distracting environment for many children, especially when they are young and still trying to adjust to 'big school'.
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As soon as children begin formal schooling, they are under a lot of pressure to perform straight away, it is as if they're thrown in the deep end and it's sink or swim! These days there is continuous assessment for children of a young age. However, these children are still trying to learn a very complex skill: deciphering a code of letters known as reading.
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Some children, through no fault of their own, find this harder than others and develop reading difficulties. If the difficulties are not addressed as soon as possible their situation rapidly deteriorates. They will soon become disheartened, confused and begin to feel like a failure, as they fall further behind in the classroom.
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This is compounded when the reading gets progressively harder and more is expected when comprehensions, creative writing, spelling etc. are added as well. A reading difficulty will interfere with the overall learning and academic performance of a child.
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There are many different reasons for having reading difficulties and it is important to note that this is not a matter of an inferior I.Q.
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In fact many children with reading difficulties are very bright/intellectual.
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Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Thomas Edison are just three famous examples of people who experienced some learning difficulties at school.
how i can help you:
I believe that if addressed promptly even a small difficulty can be solved in the Foundation Phase and will significantly benefit the child later on. They will immediately be getting help specifically for their difficulties at their pace with a kind and sympathetic therapist. They will be getting individual attention without the pressure, distractions and fear of embarrassment and failure.
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Their self-confidence and self-esteem will soon return when they start to understand whatever aspect was confusing them. School will become easier and more enjoyable.
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Remediation may be quick but usually, it is not an overnight fix. It may take a few months, a year or longer. With practice, individual help and positive encouragement from the parents, therapist and teacher, success will be achieved!
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If you have any concerns about your child's reading, spelling, comprehension and creative writing please don't hesitate to contact me (even if it's just for a chat about your concerns). If you as a parent are having concerns about your child's reading, your instincts are usually 100% correct!
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Please note:
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I will not be doing any formal assessments but rather informal assessments when working with your child.
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I ask you to bring school books to our sessions so that I can see what work is being covered in school and what problems may need addressing. It's also good to reinforce what they are learning in school.
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I usually recommend a one hour a week therapy session. This will take place at my house in Strubensvalley, Roodepoort.
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The cost per session is R350 per hour. Payments must be made monthly in advance (either cash or EFT).
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I look forward to hearing from you and can't wait to help your child!