Early Learning with Helen Doron makes use of those Sensitive Periods - part 3

Both systems put the child's well being in the foreground. Achievements are not graded but guided and encouraged according to the given pace of their development.

The differences between the methods are obvious due to the fact that HD classes are private extra curricular specialist lessons lasting 45 – 90 minutes depending on the course and age group. HD offers courses for English as a foreign language and recently a new maths (Mathjogs) programme run in the children's mother tongue. The syllabus of Montessori schools and kindergartens cater for all subjects.

The Montessori pupil has free choice of the materials and activities within the classroom supported by the teacher whose function is more that of a silent observer guiding the children. HD teachers on the other hand, conduct group activities where everyone participates together. The HD teacher animates the children and chooses props, games and materials to support each lesson.

The Montessori materials have a built-in control of error so that each child can assess its own achievements without outside control or judgment. Should the child seek acknowledgement for its work – it is gladly given. However, MM saw no need for praise or punishment. The child shows intrinsic joy at doing what it chooses itself. HD teachers are encouraged to praise the children as much as possible and at all times.

The Montessori teacher demonstrates practical life exercise without the use of words e.g. tying up a shoelace etc., whereas for learning a new language HD teachers would support all actions with language and songs.

Helen Doron's success is possibly due to her personal inexhaustible energy and interest to ever improve the method and keep pedagogical methods holistic and up-to-date. She has a network of over 2000 international active teachers and 17 teacher trainers contributing to the quality by sharing ideas, suggestions and experiences at meetings, annual conferences, seminars and through an international e-mail forum. Not only the latest pedagogical know-how is incorporated in her work but she also supports communication skills such as NVC (Nonviolent Communication from Dr. Marshall Rosenberg) to help improve performance, reduce conflicts and enrich relationships.

Helen Doron's language programmes cater for children from early infancy up to about 14 years of age. For children, it's a party time atmosphere which is such fun that they hate to miss a single lesson. The lessons are multi-sensorial allowing for active and passive phases ensuring ample movement, relaxation, songs and games. Each class entails lots of repetition and always something new. Exercises from Educational Kinesiology are built into the lessons as well as the use of supportive music including the Mozart Effect to stimulate the alpha brain waves when writing and also Baroque music in Super Learning techniques, which stimulates both brain hemispheres during active and passive concerts as well as incorporating relaxation techniques (autogenous training) for the older children.

Helen's latest courses include a new maths programme (Mathjogs) for children aged 4 –11 and is run in the child's native language giving them an ideal chance to grasp the subject naturally, effectively and in a fun-like manner after school or kindergarten. Mathjogs, similar to the language classes, entails visual, auditory and kinaesthetic methods, songs, stories, problem solving, puzzles all of which can turn maths lessons into a creative reasoning process where fun is number one! “I see and forget, I hear and remember, I do and understand”. Yes, an ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory and the secret is to start as early as possible – so if not now then when?

• English for Children - use of those Sensitive Periods - part 1
• English for Children - use of those Sensitive Periods - part 2
• English for Children - use of those Sensitive Periods - part 3