Workshops

In elementary schools today, approximately 30% of students have attention difficulties that impact negatively on their ability to learn. Unfortunately, these attention difficulties are all too often labeled as "behaviour", and may result in diagnoses and categorization that don't provide specific necessary intervention strategies.

In this age of automation, children’s bodies are not getting adequate motor stimulation and exercise, often resulting in body energy that appears either sleepy and lethargic, or charged and wired. In addition, sensation has become technology based, complex and intense. The amount of chaotic sensation exposure to children's bodies now is incredible, resulting in sensory filtering problems which greatly impact attention ability. In some cases, a student’s sensory system can “overload” resulting in fight, flight or fright reactions which are often difficult for students and teachers to understand.

The first step toward improved learning is to help students become aware of their body energy, and how their body energy changes with different types of movement and sensation. By using specific sensory motor techniques and tools demonstrated in Zone’in Program, you can assist your students, (and yourselves!) to Know Your Zone and then Tone Your Zone for better learning.

Objectives: Teachers will receive an overview of Sensory Integration (SI) theory and how Sensory Integrative Dysfunction (DSI) impacts attention and behavior. Upon completion of this presentation, teachers will be able to apply theoretical constructs regarding SI, and be able to determine appropriate trial strategies to improve their students’ attention and learning ability. Utilization of theory, combined with experiential techniques, will promote teachers understanding of their own sensory motor preferences, thus enabling optimal transfer of learning concepts to their students.

Studies show that up to 30% of primary classroom students struggle with printing, resulting in delays in spelling and sentence formation. Every teacher knows the child who erases the paper until it tears, prints illegibly or with reversals, has uneven spacing, can’t write on the line, or may not be even able to make simple shapes. These often “bright” children never catch up to their peers, and develop learning disabilities requiring increased teacher intervention and school resources. Early identification of delays in spatial concepts, visual-motor integration, oculomotor dysfunction and motor planning, at the primary level; and early intervention using simple strategies, can ensure optimal motor output for students and decrease teacher time. Come and learn how to make accurate observations using The Fine Motor Checklist, and experience the new Move’in Printing Program! Learn about posture, coordination and visual components of printing, and when to resort to technology. Strategies include ensuring specific line type and size for printing, window keys, slant boards, and choice of grips to facilitate optimal motor development. Create simple solutions for complex problems!

Objectives: Teachers will receive an overview of Fine Motor Development (FM) and theory, and how fine motor dysfunction impacts on ability to read and write. Upon completion of this presentation, parents will be able to apply theoretical constructs regarding FM dysfunction, and be able to determine appropriate strategies to improve their child’s reading and printing.