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Exercise And Sound In
Education (EASIE) |
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The Developmental
Practitioners’ Association today unveiled their latest tool to help
children achieve their potential in school. Designed for nursery and early
years, this groundbreaking programme is the earliest school based
programme to be developed to promote learning readiness and prevent
learning difficulty before it begins. |
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Piloted in Swansea the
EASIE Programme is the brainchild of Brenda Lloyd and draws on
her knowledge and experience in the classroom as well as her knowledge of
child development, both physical and neurological. (Research supported by
the Teaching Council of Wales)
The EASIE Programme is
designed for all children aged between three and seven. It helps to
develop balance and co-ordination, memory, concentration and organization
and prepares a child for learning. Teachers who have used this programme
say:
‘Our whole school
initiative clearly demonstrated, using recognised neuro-physiological
assessments, that many of our pupils had not reached the developmental
maturity needed for effective learning.’
(Mrs. L Evans Head teacher)
"...a very bright
articulate three year old scored very well on the county baseline but
this was not matched by her physical skills. Many skills were those
of a four year old, but her physical skills and hand-eye coordination were
barely age equivalent. Once started on the programme she was the first
to show improvement. Her physical skills and hand eye coordination are
now at the level of a four year old." (A Hughes, Nursery teacher) |
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Designed for use in the
classroom or at home, the exercises, songs and music can be interleaved
with other learning activities. The EASIE Programme provides the
instructor with aims, objectives and lesson plans which conform to
National Curriculum requirements. This is a must for all early years
providers. It is intended to reduce the impact of dyslexia, dyspraxia ADD
etc on learning.
Starting in February members of the Developmental Practitioners’
Association will be offering training courses in the UK. |
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About the DPA
The DPA is an association of independent practitioners who offer
treatment for a wide range of learning difficulties, to both adults and
children. Although constituted in 2000, the DPA has been in existence
since 1995 promoting Neuro-Developmental and associated
therapies/professions as a primary choice for alleviating learning
difficulties in children and neuroses in adults. The aim of the
association is to establish and maintain high standards of professional
development and practice for its members, including minimum acceptable
levels of training.
In addition, DPA provides suitably qualified and ethical therapists with
an association which will act on their behalf in the furtherance of their
profession.
DPA promotes and encourages
continuing professional development, interdisciplinary understanding and
communication for members of the Association and the public through its
open meetings, conferences and training courses. |
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Additional Information |
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EASIE stands for Exercise And
Sound In Education. |
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If you are involved in
health and education, you will be interested to read about our EASIE
Programme. |
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The programme comprises 6 sets
of simple exercises and suggested music for listening.
Each set of exercises, and music selected for listening, are used for one
week so the programme takes six weeks.
The exercises themselves serve as guide to a child's stage of neuro-physiological
development. They provide a very early indication of difficulties and
active support. The aim being to prevent later learning and behaviour
problems.
They provide the opportunity for children to use the movements necessary
to pass through the important stages needed for the body and brain to
reach readiness for learning. They precede the work done for integration.
The exercises do not harm those who have reached each milestone but help
with consolidation and automaticity. They are vital for those who have
missed early stages or have regressed for various reasons. |
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Improvements are noticed
each time the programme is used. They can be followed through each
half-term for the whole year or interleaved with more outdoor activities
in the summer term. They can also be used as warm up activities in PE
lessons. |
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The sound element is based
on Sound Therapy Principles and helps to develop hearing and listening
skills. |
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It is possible and desirable
to incorporate it into everyday routines. It helps to develop healthy
attitudes to regular exercise and relaxation. They benefit all children. |
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A day's training is
required. There are three courses arranged for the near future in
Newark, Bromsgove and Loughborough but there are practitioners
throughout the UK who can arrange courses. Contact DPA or Brenda Lloyd. |
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Practitioners can offer
several different programmes for children and adults.
Members of the DPA offer talks on the Awareness of Developmental Delay
for schools and organisations; INSET or day courses on school programmes
or advise on individual programmes, usually carried out at home. |
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For more information, please
contact Frances
Emmett or the
Developmental Practitioners Association
for your nearest practitioner. |
