La-Mmatau Early Childhood Development Centre, headed by Mmapula Letswalo, is performing education magic using the Radical Readers programme which was introduced in March.
Sounds of singing and laughter are heard as these confident tots learn from a curriculum filled with fun, movement, catchy music and brightly-coloured pictures.
According to Sandy de Haas, founder and managing director of Advance 360 Education, the progress made so far with the pupils has been significant. “Children as young as five are starting to word build,” De Haas excitedly explained.
De Haas added that La-Mmatau was one of seven centres implementing the programme and that all the centres had been doing exceptionally well with an average of 81 percent being achieved for letter shape and sound recognition, representing a 65 percent increase from the baseline assessments taken at the start of the programme.
Letswalo said, “We could see the results from the beginning, it’s wonderful to see how animated the children get doing the programme – and the results are so rewarding… All the parents gave us an immediate buy-in and their feedback is fantastic. We feel privileged being a part of this programme and for all the help to make this project successful.”
Radical Readers is licenced by Letterland, a unique phonics-based approach to teaching, reading, writing and spelling for three- to eight-year-old children. The centres use their internationally-acclaimed phonics programme.
The Radical Readers curriculum also ensures that motor skills, cognitive learning, creative thinking, and reading and writing skills are properly developed.
What makes the project stand out is that it is training educators to set up Radical Reader Tutor Centres that in turn teach pre-school and foundation phase children to read, while at the same time generating a sustainable income for the educators because the centres are viable small businesses.
Funding is needed only for set-up and training, but the centres then become financially self-sustaining.
Details: sandy@advance360.co.za; www.advance360.co.za
What do you think of the initiative? Tweet @Fourways_Review
