Children with learning difficulties can be helped! 

Teachers, you can help your class to learn with this easy to implement program which achieves the following: 

• Accelerated learning
• Improved co-ordination
• Improved classroom behaviour
• Improved ability to focus on tasks 

Two day workshops in the Learning Connections School Program are conducted regularly. 

What is the Program? 

This explicit and structured school classroom program contains only sequential movement activities to enhance motor sensory integration and inhibition of persistent primary reflexes to increase “at risk” children’s opportunity for academic achievement. 

Research shows that activities that inhibit persistent primary reflexes improve academic outcomes in all children, not just those identified as having specific learning difficulties. 

Can't get to Brisbane!!

In house teacher training is a popular option. Click here for recent results from teachers using the Learning Connections School Program as well as upcoming training dates and venues throughout Australia.

Our 2 day Teacher Training Workshops cover the following topics: 

• Neurological Development of the child 
• Movement and it's Impact on Learning 
• Role of Reflexes in Learning Difficulties 
• ADD and ADHD, How Teachers can help! 
• Visual and Auditory Systems in Learning 
• Visual Activities 
• Developing Listening in the Classroom 
• Nutrition 
• Implementing the Learning Connections Centre School Program 
• SMART Activities 

The preliminary research undertaken by teachers in Queensland schools provides strong prima facia evidence that the Learning Connections School Program has a positive impact with a range of children, from those with learning difficulties through to average achievers, and even high achievers. 

The Learning Connections Approach

Learning Connections believes that the majority of children with learning difficulties, attention disorders and behaviour problems share common underlying factors, that is, neuro-developmental delay. This results in developmental immaturities, which puts these children at high risk for learning difficulties, attention and behaviour problems. 

The Learning Connections' approach is based on a neurological view of development that has been influenced by the work of a range of researchers and practitioners. The Learning Connections program is essentially a sensory motor maturation program in which children replicate the early movement experiences that are required to establish good building blocks, or "wiring", of the brain that is essential for efficient learning. 

McCain and Mustard (1999) state positive sensory stimulation….helps strengthen brain capacity in functions such as cognitive development, stable emotions,……and normal arousal responses. Learning Connections has been using the theories outlined in the Early Years Study in parent and teacher workshops for the since 1976. 

Learning Connections School Program

Learning Connections School Program is for all children, not just those who are struggling to learn. Our research shows that children of average and above average ability make the same percentage gains in reading, spelling and comprehension as those at the lower end of the class.

This can happen because many children enter school, or are already in school with behaviours that suggest they have immaturities in some aspect of their development. These immaturities may not be causing obvious problems with learning or behaviour but can be interfering with the child reaching their full potential. 

The following signs may suggest developmental immaturity: 

• Delayed motor milestones e.g. sitting, crawling, walking, speech 
• Immature speech development, reading and spelling difficulties 
• Health problems in early childhood e.g. reflux, ear infections 
• Attention problems, impulsivity, auditory processing difficulties 
• Difficulty with manual dexterity, poor pencil grip, poor handwriting 
• Good at maths, but poor at language subjects 
• Social difficulties, problems making friends, variations in performance and behaviour

Through the movement activities in the Learning Connections School Program the brain is helped to sort out incoming information and to adapt or change in response to the demands of the child's learning environment. Learning happens in the brain. The brain can be regarded as a switchboard which has innumerable connections. 

Perhaps only one or two of these connections are faulty and as long as these lines are not required, we have a communications system that functions well. However, should we need to use the faulty lines, we are in trouble.

The Learning Connections School Program provides activities that promote developmental maturity. Children can then develop the "brainwiring" required for successful learning, attention and appropriate behaviour. 

Outcomes and Benefits of Learning Connections Programs

Improved Behaviour 

The first visible effect of the program is the improvement in children's behaviour. The children themselves, as well as their teachers and parents comment on how much more focussed, settled and calm they are after doing the program. The improvement in behaviour and focus is occurring for nearly all children participating in the program.

Some teachers have measured the change in behaviour using an adaptation of the Connors Behaviour Rating Scale. In 2001, teachers at Killarney State School implemented the Learning Connections School Program with a group of Year 1 children. As well as looking at changes in reading performance the teachers looked at change in behaviour. This group of children showed improvement in all areas of behaviour and in concentration. Results available on request. 

Improved Academic Performance

The Learning Connections School Program promotes neuro-development of the child so the necessary foundations for effective learning are acquired. Results from some of the schools implementing the Learning Connections School Program show: 

• 7.2 months improvement in reading age after only 18 days of Learning Connections School Program - Bermagui Public School (NSW)
• 6.9 months improvement in reading age after only 2 months of Learning Connections School Program - Kirwan State School (Qld) 
• 24.9 months improvement in reading age after only 8 months of Learning Connections School Program - Southern Cross College (Qld) 
• 10.4 months improvement in reading age after only 2 months of Learning Connections School Program - Raceview State School (Qld) 
• 15.4 months improvement in spelling age after only 3 months of Learning Connections School Program - Banana State School (Qld) 
• 10 months improvement in reading age after only 6 months of Learning Connections School Program - Comet State School (Qld) 

Cost Effective

For a small cost, the two day Teacher Training Workshop in the Learning Connections School Program, can help you to positively impact on every child in your class. The Program compliments your existing teaching practices. 

What is the difference between the Learning Connections School Program and Perceptual Motor Programs?
 
Whilst Perceptual Motor Programs and "Brain Gym" are based on the same neurological premise as Learning Connections approach, they work in different ways. Perceptual Motor Programs and "Brain Gym" focus on higher levels of brain development. Learning Connections Programs work to organize the important parts of the central nervous system that provide the foundations for learning and overcome any retained primitive reflexes. 

Good organization at the lower levels of brain development is essential for learning. Perceptual motor skills will not readily develop whilst there is a lack of integration at lower levels of brain development. 

Courses are held regularly at the Learning Connections Centre. We also offer in-house training for interstate, regional and overseas schools. Please contact Learning Connections for more information and training dates. 

Learning Connections regularly publishes newsletters and research articles available for download.

What Teachers say about our Training

"This is the best, most worthwhile Professional Development that I have done!"

"Prior to commencing the Learning Connections School Program at Comet State School, the average child was 1 month behind in reading. After implementing the Learning Connections School Program for 6 months, the average child was 10 months ahead in reading ability. The school is high need, as 50% of students were caught in the Year 2 Net. Ongoing monitoring shows that these results are not only being maintained but continue to improve. The success of the Learning Connections School Program at Comet has led to 52% of schools in the district now doing motor programs."

" Thanks for all the new information that will help me make my teaching more interesting and purposeful."

"Great concrete aids for learning."

"This training is of great value to me because of all the practical activities for the classroom."

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