HORIZONS TERM 1 2017

CONFERENCES
Early Childhood
Development
Conference
Over the long weekend in March,
the Grade 0 team and I were privileged
to attend the ISASA ECD
(Early Childhood Development)
conference at Lebone II College in
Phokeng. Unlike most of the other
conferences and professional development
opportunities on offer,
this very special event only takes
place every 3 years and focuses
on the fundamental learning and
growth that occurs in the formative
years of one’s life. The theme of the
conference was ‘Education is light’
and every minute was bathed in
light and full of inspiration. The keynote
speakers, breakaway sessions,
facilities (including a slow lounge!),
entertainment and company, were
intensely memorable and our team
are very excited to implement the
practical ideas which inspired us so.
The current neurologically based
research has given us the reassurance
that the play based philosophy
in Grade 0 at The Ridge School
that underpins our curriculum, is
very relevant to the development
of the 21st century child. Young
brains learn best through play, as
Friedrick Froebel’s says, ‘Play is the
serious business of children’.
As delegates from independent
schools, we were challenged to
step up and out of our comfort
zones to raise the status of ECD
in South Africa through partnering
with under resourced schools.
Some of the highlights of the conference
included:
Kathie Nunley – working with the
21st Centenary Student Brain, and
how neuroscience has proved that
the range of a child’s readiness to
read could be anywhere between
the ages of 3 and 9 (a 6 year range).
The nature of the neuroplasticity
of the brain, means that it’s never
too late to create and cement new
neuro-pathways. We were challenged
to focus more on children’s
strengths in development of the
whole child. Exposing children to
any screen time below the age of
2, changes the way the brain develops,
we need to stop using screens
as babysitters!
Gavin Keller - speaking about play,
the gateway to learning, unlocking
creativity and innovation through
PLAY, you cannot learn unless you
feel safe and loved.
Darren August - changing a country
can start in the classroom and
how love has to be the reason for
why we teach.
The conference reminded educators
of the incredible role that
pre-primary education plays in a
child’s development.
By Mandy Herold
The Ridge School 30 Horizons Term 1 2017