In the beginning of every academic year parents and children are overwhelmed with a choice of different extracurricular activities, both practiced at the school and out of house options. Some children aren't bothered and don't want to participate in anything, while others are over-eager and want to do absolutely everything! So how to find a balance? For primary school it is important not to overload your child's afternoon with activities. Children need time play! Give them a

In 2011 Dr. Annette Martins conducted a test on a Grade 5 class in special education. The 19 students were assessed by an independent occupational therapist in their reading and comprehension skills as well as mathematics. Dr. Martins then assessed the students' Genetic Brain Profile and gave the teacher some pointers on how to handle each student, including: - concentrating on spelling and reading with the left eye dominant children - eye exercises - extra work and rewards f

2017 has been the year of the fidget spinner. There are different shapes, colours, and kids are going crazy over them. What is a fidget toy? Fidget toys are designed to give sensory output to individuals who need it for enhanced concentration. Not all kids (or adults) can sit perfectly still for an entire lesson and not lose focus. Some children need sensory stimulation to help them focus and not trail off. Different fidget toys provide different sensory stimulation and the b

School readiness is a process, not an event. The process leading to school readiness starts at birth and goes hand in hand with the normal stages of development of the child. A child who is provided with sufficient opportunity for healthy development should, by the time he reaches compulsory school age, also be school ready. There are various factors, however, that may inhibit the process of achieving school readiness. Some children may not be ready at the expected time, desp

Is your child ready for assessment and scholastic decisions? Candice’s educational assessments began in pre-school with an interview and an observation. The area in which they lived had no mandatory pre-school requirements. On registration day, Candice and her mother came to school and were interviewed briefly. A teacher rated Candice’s cognitive and socio-emotional skills. Her development was judged normal, and she started attending pre-school. During the year, she exper

Katleho Mogale talks to Dr. Annette Martins about genetic brain profiling and its benefits to learners, teachers, and parents. Did you know that genetic brain profiling is now available for schools? For only R5 per student per month the school can have every single student's brain profile assessed, the seating plan for each classroom laid out by the program according to the profiles, and the teachers, students, and parents receive invaluable information monthly to manage thes

At the beginning of a new school year teachers are faced with a new class and with it comes new challenges, especially when it comes to deciding who sits where. There are a few options for teachers when deciding on class placement: let each student choose their own seat (and move them as necessary, usually breaking up misbehaving friends or moving the naughty kids to the front) place them alphabetically place them according to their academic performance place bright students

Congratulations to all the matrics who have finished their exams! It will be a while before you get your results, but I'm sure celebrations are in order! Some of you are getting ready for a matric vacation with your friends, some are just a bit worried about their results, some are looking forward to university next year, while others are looking for a job. Some of you may also be wondering "What now?". The idea of getting a job now is suddenly real and you can't rely on your

In grade 9 it is always stressful to chose suitable subjects for the last few years of school. It's not just about choosing subjects, it's about choosing the right subjects for your future career. This is a tall order for a 15-year-old who is still wondering what path to take in life. Many students feel like they have no idea of what they want to do in terms of a career after school and even those who have an idea are not sure if their choice is the right one, if they will ch

Welcome to our very first episode of "Career Spotlight"! In this first episode we explore one of the most popular jobs in South Africa: Teachers. The objective of this series is to introduce high school students to the many jobs out there and to give them a better idea of what each career really does on a day-to-day basis. Did this video shed some light on teachers that you didn't know? Tell us what you think! Remember, this is our very first podcast and we'd love to hear fro