KIDS INPERTH
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Born & Bred in WA
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SEPTEMBER 2016
Parents Paper www.kidsinperth.com
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Study finds ‘Mentalising’ is key to child development
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arents want to know that they are doing all they can to support their children’s development, yet it can be hard to know how to make this happen. In collaboration with Telethon Speech & Hearing (TSH), a team of researchers from Curtin University’s School of Psychology and Speech Pathology under the supervision of Dr Matthew Ruggiero have been working to identify factors that support healthy emotional and social development in young children with hearing impairments. The team has been measuring the effect that parent and/or child anxiety has on the emotional fit between mother and child – that is, whether anxiety impacts their ability to interact together in a way that supports the child’s emotional development. In addition, the team has tried to work out whether certain parental skills and abilities can be used to support a child’s emotional development. To date, 20 mothers along with their children from Telethon Speech & Hearing and other service providers have participated in the study. Although the research has not been completed yet, there are already trends
emerging from the data. It appears that a child’s anxiety in particular might somewhat reduce the likelihood that mother and child can work together to support the child’s emotional development. There is a key parental skill that then becomes important - called Mentalising. Mentalising refers to our ability to accurately imagine and respond to the things inside a child’s mind that motivate their behaviour; such as their hopes, fears and intentions.
Classrooms and current events
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arents often wonder why teachers at the International Centre for Excellence (ICE) use themes such as the Olympics as part of their teaching program. Their answer is – relevance and engagement. With Victoria Carlton Programs, students pay attention to learning that is interesting, and children are completely fascinated by the Olympic games. The games inspire and teach children how to handle disappointments, persist through hardships and practice important skills.
TSH would like to thank all the families who have participated in this research to date.
So far, their primary and secondary students have written from the point of view of an athlete ready to run, calculated distances, worked on tessellating flags in isosceles triangle shapes, discussed individual performances, written persuasive pieces about drug-cheats, learned about Brazil and written reports about animals found in the Amazon basin. They have also eaten Brazilian cheese bread, learned about the history of the Olympics and much, much more!
For more information about Telethon Speech & Hearing (TSH) visit www.tsh.org.au
Academic literacy and numeracy outcomes have markedly increased using
The study is not yet complete, and so the team would recommend caution in drawing conclusions from the results at this stage. Nevertheless, it is exciting to see that there may be parenting skills that make a difference to the ability that kids have to manage the emotions they experience in their relationships.
• Dramatic Play • Creative Movement • Story Telling • Songs • Language Skills • Confi dence
this theme and interest continues to rise. The kids are engaged – and there is no learning without engagement. I know some would rather see kids sitting quietly doing worksheet after worksheet at desks – but is that really learning? Teachers at ICE believe in providing hands-on learning so that children better understand academic concepts. Worksheets are used for reinforcement and consolidation – they are an important part of learning, but not the only way to learn. Real learning involves movement, lots of questions and is sometimes messy. Many hours a week of looking at needs of students and planning are involved. Teachers who teach with Victoria Carlton Programs know one size doesn’t fit all. They know their students have different strengths and ways of learning. There is a way for all students to succeed. “We seek to stimulate children’s brains – not bore them,” Victoria Carlton said. Parents who are interested in Victoria Carlton’s programs can call ICE on 9271 4200 or email iceinfo@iinet.net.au
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We believe co-education in the primary years is one of the best ways to foster respect, equality and understanding. Wesley is co-ed Pre-kindy to Year 6 and boys only from Year 7. To enquire please contact us on 08 9368 8032 or enrol@wesley.wa.edu.au.
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