ITEC - Education Training

Famous mathematician Albert Einstein is famously cited as advising: "*If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.*" How fairytales help with maths:
1. Imagination is the root of science: Einstein viewed imagination as the highest form of intelligence. Advanced mathematics and physics require the ability to visualize abstract concepts—like unseen dimensions, curved space, or invisible forces—which builds upon childhood imaginative play.
2. Developing complex neural pathways: Experiencing complex, unfamiliar worlds and moral dilemmas in stories helps the brain develop flexible, subtle thinking. It trains the mind to entertain multiple possibilities rather than stark extremes, which is the foundation of logical problem-solving.
3. Symbolic reasoning: Fairy tales train children to understand symbols and abstract ideas (e.g., a dragon representing fear, or a long journey representing growth), a skill directly translatable to understanding mathematical variables and formulas.
4. Their structure and story arc, filled with adventure, mystery, magic, danger and resolution captivates young listeners. Every story that starts with a ‘once upon a time’ ends with a ‘happily ever after’ is comforting to a child because no matter the peril, good triumphs over evil, and children see that perseverance and persistence go a long way towards problem-solving.
-->Beyond this, educators know that fairy tales also have an important part to play in early literacy and comprehension skills through repetition and rhyme, clear story structure (beginning, middle, end) and introduce children to character types. And they help children visualize (and use words that are) beyond everyday life.

As South Africa commemorates Youth Day on 16 June, we honour the courage of the young people whose voices helped shape our nation's future. In the Eastern Cape we celebrate the potential of every child and teen to be a catalyst for positive change. This month serves as a reminder that education remains one of the most powerful tools for empowerment, opportunity, and social justice. By investing in quality learning, nurturing talent, and creating safe spaces for children, we not only honour the legacy of the youth of 1976 but also strengthen the foundations for a brighter, more equitable future for generations to come.

The opening of the Kenhardt Primary Library in the Northern Cape South Africa, was a great success, featuring a generous donation from Aries Solar Power plant. They provided boxes of Afrikaans books purchased from Loot that includes brand new non-fiction, chapter books, comic books and graphic novels, selected by the ITEC librarian in collaboration with the Kenhardt librarian-in-training and purchased from Loot.co.za (thanks for delivery!).

The school community celebrated the library's inauguration, with Aries Solar Plant's Glen Berkat speech emphasizing the importance of reading. The event included children's singing, and attendees, including Department of Education official Mr Zolile Prusente, viewing the lovely library space.

This school library is open every school day for children to explore books, read, play games, and do homework assignments. ITEC is proud to support the library and mentor the school librarian, helping to promote literacy.

Aries Solar Power is also sponsoring a read aloud programme in this school, where we are working with Grades R-3 teachers to increase foundational reading skills in the classroom, and with parents to increase back-and-forth conversations with children and storytelling at home.

Infants need simple toys because their developing brains require open-ended exploration rather than pre-programmed entertainment. Simple items encourage active physical movement, imaginative thinking, and sensory learning without causing overstimulation.

Electronic or flashy toys often dictate how a child should play, turning them into passive spectators. Simple, open-ended toys put the child in control, teaching them that their actions have direct consequences.

Babies need to learn how to grasp, reach, and interact with objects. Simple, lightweight toys (like soft blocks or silicone balls) are easier to hold and encourage the hand-eye coordination required for physical milestones.

Infants use their mouths and hands to understand textures, shapes, and weights. Basic, non-electronic objects give them the freedom to explore safely while boosting their brain's cognitive processing.

When babies interact with simple shapes and items, they learn to problem-solve and use their imagination. This lays the groundwork for creativity and complex thinking as they grow.

Flashy lights, loud sounds, and automated features can overwhelm a baby's nervous system, causing them to disengage from their environment or movement. Experts emphasise that infants do not need expensive, battery-operated gadgets. Many simple "toys" are household objects—like wooden spoons, sandwich boxes, toilet roll inners (nothing sharp, breakable or swallowable).

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You don't have a distracted toddler. You have distracting toys. Save this before your next toy shop and send it to a parent whose house is beeping at them right now♥️🌈

A great way for any foundation phase teacher to kick off the new term is by helping the children in your class define what kind of learner they want to be. Ask them to reflect on questions like:
• “I learn best when…”
• “This year, I want to improve…”
• “When I’m stuck, I will…”
They can write or draw their learning plan. This helps you understand their mindset and gives them a chance to build metacognitive skills from the start.

You can also send home a question for the weekend: "What helped you to learn more when you were my age?". This encourages storytelling and connection with parents. They can add to their plans next week, which you can display or send home.

Last week participants attended a five day course on the Foundations of Early Childhood Development. The course covered NCF requirements, children's activities and routines, making resources and how to assess and record and children can do to monitor their development. It also covered how to use themes to structure learning throughout the year.

Harvard university just released research that shows the first four years of oral language development are critical for future reading.

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Reading struggles don’t suddenly appear in Grade 1. They can begin as early as 18 months. Yes, you read that right. Researchers found that the path to reading success or difficulty starts long before school begins. 🔍 “Trajectories between kids with and without reading disabilities start diverging around 18 months of age, not at age 5 or 6 as previously thought.” (Source: Harvard Gazette, June 2025) This means early identification and support is not just important. It’s essential. ✨ Want to know what to look for and how to help? Swipe through for key takeaways, direct quotes, and practical tips for parents and teachers. 🧠 Early language matters 📈 Struggles show up sooner than expected ✅ The earlier we act, the better the outcomes 📌 Save this post to refer back to later 📲 Share it with someone who needs to see this https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/06/reading-skills-and-struggles-manifest-earlier-than-thought/ #RightToRead #ScienceOfReading #DyslexiaAwareness #EarlyIntervention #SoarWithDyslexia LiteracyMatters ParentTips HarvardResearch StructuredLiteracy ReadingScience

Wise words

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On reading for pleasure, and power. Author and National Year of Reading ambassador Katherine Rundell at Hay Festival 2026.

On 11 June, we're encouraging schools to take part in the 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟭 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 by making more time for play during the school day.
Happy and healthy childhoods are built on play. Play isn’t just fun, it’s essential. Schools have a unique and vital role in supporting children’s ability to learn, play, be active and experience nature.