Struggling to learn? Remember the senses
Children navigate more complex learning environments now than they did twenty to thirty years ago. The expectations seem to be higher but our tools for assisting children are also more and more readily available.
Vision
Vision and learning are intimately related. More than 80% of learning occurs through information that is presented visually. It is clear that vision problems can lead to learning difficulties. How efficiently we learn to see will affect how well we do at school and in today’s society, how well we do in our chosen career.
If your child appears to be seeing well but has never had a comprehensive eye examination with a behavioural optometrist, do not assume all is well. A child who struggles at school may have an undiagnosed vision problem. Most children are far-sighted and can see well in the distance. These children appear to see well and pass basic vision screening tests. Moderate to high hyperopia (far-sightedness) can lead to poor concentration at school, fatigue while reading and slow working speed. Poor visual skills lead to fatigue, losing place when reading and poor comprehension. Spectacles for reading and eye exercises (vision therapy) may be highly beneficial to improve all aspects of visual performance.
Hearing
Hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication and learning. Hearing loss causes delays in development of speech and language, and those delays then lead to learning problems, often resulting in poor school performance. Unfortunately, since poor academic performance is often accompanied by inattention and sometimes poor behaviour, children with hearing loss are often misidentified as having learning disabilities such as ADD and ADHD. A child who is struggling in school, especially if there is a family history of hearing loss or if the child has had recurring ear infections, should be seen by a hearing care professional for an evaluation.
When a child struggles at school, examining the senses may be good place to start!
You might also want to read more about how movement can help you learn.
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Tiaan Lötter
Teacher
Tiaan Lötter is a digital learning enthusiast and Google Certified Innovator. He has a background in Public and Private Secondary Education teaching Afrikaans as a first additional language. Through his teaching, he strives to use technology in his lessons in pedagogically valuable methods to engage students in learning opportunities. He presents at summits, conferences and workshops on the integration of digital technologies into education. He believes failure is a step to success and that all teachers are superheroes. Education 2014 Google Educator Certification 2013 Google Certified Teacher 2012 Post-Grad Certificate in Education 2012 Post-Grad Certificate in Editing (English) 2009 Post-Grad Certificate in Pension Fund Law Post-Grad Certificate in Advanced Company Law 2008 B.Com Law (Economics major) 2003 Grade 12 / Matric (National Senior Certificate) Skills
- • Geek-level computer skills on Windows and Apple Mac.
• Excellent education and technology integration skills regarding Apple Apps and Google Apps For Education using pads/tablets and macs/computers.
• Training in the context of professional development regarding the integration of technology in teaching.
• Training provided:
o Google Apps for Education: Chrome and Extensions / Google Drive and Extensions / Google Sites
o Augmented Reality (Setting up and using Aurasma and Daqri apps)
• Compiling training / educational material in the context of a classroom and professional development.
• Notably:
o Wrote and contributed to grade 9, 10 and 11 Afrikaans First Additional Language textbooks.
o Developed poetry resources across multiple platforms like Prezi, Keynote and Google Drive Slides.
o Developed language in context resources using Keynote.
o Developed prose resources using Aurasma's augmented reality.
o Following creationist theory with learner work.
• Attended Google Educator Group Leader training workshop.
• Excellent editing, proofing and translating of English and Afrikaans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Afrikaans.
Contributors
- Andrea Kellerman
- Anne-Marie Stanisavljevic
- Casha Meintjes
- Celynn Erasmus
- Dr. Jacobus Lieb Liebenberg
- Dr. Melodie De Jager
- Dr. Pieter Kitshoff
- Estelle Barnard
- Frank Magwegwe
- Green Beings
- Jennifer Cosslett
- Joanie Strauss
- Keren Hoy
- Leanne Kiezer
- Lourika Horn
- Marené Jooste
- Marinda Botha
- Marlene Mouton
- Melissa Roos
- Mind Moves
- Monique Theron
- Opti-Baby and Kids
- Paper Video
- Paulus Pilatus
- Phumeza Langa
- Prof. Dr. Ina Shaw
- Rozanne Vincent
- Saurabh Tyagi
- Sister Sonja Sauer
- Stephanie Makhlouf
- Takudzwa Collen Hanyani
- Tiaan Lötter
- Wietske Boon
- Window 2 Learning Excellence