Since 2016, SOS Africa’s Somerset West Education Centre has developed a highly effective Learning Support Programme. This initiative supplements the curriculum and is offered to the Foundation Phase (grades 1-3) children at our partnering schools. Each of our staff have received excellent basic training and assessment tools through the WORDWORKS “Ready, Steady Read Write” Programme. Our staff have adapted these learning tools to ensure we meet the specific needs of each partnering school.
How do our Learning Support Programmes work?
For the most part, each of our tutors work with 6-8 children per 30-minute session. These children attend Learning Support four days a week. Every week we follow the same programme of activities but with a new story.
After our 5-minute warm up of Brain Gym; a series of exercises designed to engage learning through movement. Our children really enjoy this routine are soon relaxed and ready to absorb new lessons.
With each new story the lessons then follow these four predetermined steps:
- Reading the new story.
- Having discussions about the story highlighting new sounds and words.
- Writing or drawing something based on the story.
- Playing letter and sound games.
These include playdough (and other tangible materials) to physical shape letters. We also have “Letter Boxes” filled with a random assortment of items. The aim is for the child to pick out the item that begins with the letter on the box. These and many other games are developed to help the child learn through a process of playing and greater understanding.
The Impact of Learning Support Programmes
At the start and end of each term we test the children to assess their progress. Each child needs to progress through three levels of reading proficiency and comprehension before leaving our programme and returning to their classroom having caught up with the level of their fellow classmates. Our staff provide regular progress updates to the teachers; we all work together for the betterment of each child’s development.
The aim is not only to teach the children to read or write but also to comprehend. We encourage them to question the story and form their own opinions. In grades 1-3 you learn to read but from grades 4 onwards you have to read in order to learn. If children are not properly prepared with these fundamental skills, then the rest of the educational development is thwarted.
How to Donate to SOS Africa:
Donations can be made via bank transfer to our UK/SA accounts, using the bank details below…
SOS Africa UK Bank Account Details:
Account Name: SOS Africa / Bank: HSBC / Account No: 40001589 / Sort Code: 401538
SOS Africa SA Bank Account Details:
Account Name: SOS Africa / Bank: ABSA / Account No: 9283811100 / Branch Code: 632005
Make an Online Donation to SOS Africa:
Online donations to SOS Africa can also made be via JustGiving, CAF and Paypal.
If you wish your donation to be allocated to a specific cause (e.g. learning support) or require further assistance when making a donation, please email SOS Africa Founder, Matt Crowcombe.
