MANAGING THE TRANSITION TO FORMAL LEARNING
FROM NURSERY/PRE-SCHOOL TO SCHOOL
A DVD resource for CPD
and Staff Training
To learn to read and to write readily and well requires certain physical ‘Foundation Skills’ to be in place. For example, for learning to read well the child needs to be able to:-
- Easily cross the body left/right vertical midline with hands, eyes and combined hand/eye.
- Have voluntary control of eye movements.
- Easily converge and diverge the eyes (i.e. from far to near and near to far).
In addition to the above, to learn to write well the child needs to be able to:-
- Easily draw circles both clockwise and anticlockwise (as in an ‘a’ and as in a ‘b’).
-
Have control of fingers for a ‘precision’ or ‘mature
tripod’ grip (defined by the NHA* in the UK as the most efficient
pen grip for learning to write).
(*National Handwriting Association)
If these ‘Foundation Skills’, or developmental indicators, have not been established and honed prior to school entry, the child is likely to have difficulty or stress in learning to read or to write. Any difficulties at this stage are liable to hamper Active Learning throughout their education.
The DVD Managing the Transition from Nursery/Pre-school to School using The Importance of Being Four (Age 4-5) is ideal for Staff Training as it shows clearly how these and other developmental skills can be observed and assessed.
- It gives information on assisting the development of these ‘pre-skills’.
- It highlights the kind of behaviour that will be displayed by children without adequate control over these ‘Foundation Skills’.
- As well as Fine Motor it also covers Gross Motor skills – including Balance, Co-ordination and Posture – necessary to provide a stable platform for Fine Motor skills.
- It suggests, if appropriate, the type of specialist who could help.
It can help staff translate into their own situation the motor skills, movement and vision aspects needed for:-
- A Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.
- The Early Years Foundation Stages in England and Wales.
At only £26.50 the DVD is very cost effective compared with the cost of sending a member of staff on a course and covering their absence from site.
- all staff can view this DVD at suitable times;
- it can be watched again and again, section by section for reference.
“Children vary greatly in the age at which they are equipped for formal school. This readiness is not a question of age or intelligence but it is a measure of the integration of their central nervous system.”
- Dr. Mary Lou Sheil & Margaret Sasse*
(*developers of the Ladder of Learning Child Development videos).
So, the understanding of the importance of movement and the key indicators of when the necessary skill level has been achieved – or not – needs to be identified prior to the start of formal learning to ensure a smooth TRANSITION from Nursery/Pre-school to School.
Managing the Transition from Nursery/Pre-school to School using The Importance of Being Four DVD:
Reviews the development to age 5 in terms of the risks to their ability to academically & socially achieve in school.:-
- Movement & Balance;
- Body & Space Awareness;
- Vision & Fine Motor Skills;
- Rhythm, Sequence & Time;
- Imagination; Communication & Behaviour.
Within these categories the DVD:-
- Summarises the stages of Child Development:-
- Shows examples with whole class, group and individuals using indoor and outdoor play.
- Highlights children who are ready for formal learning.
- Gives clear examples of WHY a child may not be ready for formal learning and school.
- Gives guidance on when and how to remediate difficulties.
- Advises when various types of specialist help may be needed and why.
Summary:
£26.50
Managing the Transition from Nursery/Pre-school to School using The Importance of Being Four
This DVD, also subtitled ‘Managing the Transition to Formal Learning from Nursery/Pre-school to School’, reviews the children's development to date in terms of Movement & Balance; Body & Space Awareness; Vision & Fine Motor Skills; Rhythm, Sequence & Time; Imagination; Communication & Behaviour; highlighting any risks to their ability for academic achievement in school.
DVD (PAL); 50 minutes; Filmed in 1991
"School readiness is not a question of age or intelligence but is a measure of the integration of the brain and central nervous system."
For more detailed information on earlier developmental stages and when they can ideally be achieved, there are also four other age related DVDs available:-
AVAILABLE IN THE UK ONLY FROM LADDER OF LEARNING
