Helping Families to Listen
Poor communication is often the cause of sibling fighting, or picking on each other, being rude, disrespectful, being bullied or bullying. Frequently these problems occur, not because of refusing to listen, rather there is an inability to listen and process the information easily and quickly due to stress.
This program is for preschooler and early schoolers. The development of good relationships through communication depends on good listening. In this age group, the program is used as a way of assessing and preventing further break down in the family unit and give educators understanding of 'learning differences' of the children.
Using the senses, students learn how to actively listen through their intelligences-- musical, visual, kinaesthetic, intra and interpersonal.
The perceptual techniques used include music to concentrate, to have fun and move, modelling clay, and educational kinesiology.
Communication strategies use positive virtues observed in the group. A 'success' model brings understanding and flexibility to children who may need to make social adjustments.
This is a profound way to help children manage social stresses, and learn to communicate their ideas and difficulties. This course has the potential to make a real difference to children’s attention and learning.
The program is of particular relevance to Aboriginal children and others of cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds because of the emphasis on integration and experiencing.
Outcomes:
Significant improvement in family relationships
Less sibling rivalry
Behavioural improvements
A motivation to learn
Gains in self-esteem and confidence to speak up
Improves language and learning issues
A simple pre and post listening screening is administered to back up expected educational and social gains.
About Us
Helping Families Listen programs have been developed by Kay Distel, M App Sci, Candidate PhD. Kay’s work spans 25 years as a psychotherapist and adult learning trainer, and 8 years as a private consultant for children with listening, language and learning difficulties.
She is one of 3 Australian Registered Certified Accredited Consultants in the worldwide listening program, the Tomatis Method. Kay has been a professional course facilitator since 1985.
Earlier work was in mental health and as a Trainer/Staff Development Officer in the Social Services.
More recent courses include "Making Literacy Fun - Learning from Perception" and "Learning the Dyslexic Way”.
Program development
Kay has had extensive experience in developing and administering programs.
During the 80's she developed courses for the UK based ‘Care in the Community’ initiative aimed at bringing mental patients into community facilities. Kay trained staff and initiated a series of multi-disciplinary programs, including a county-wide seminar involving all service providers.
A highly successful course was ‘Helping Skills’, a forerunner of Helping Families Listen. The last 15 years have focused on refining and developing individual practice in listening programs. Kay works with children from 3 years old and onwards. As the program includes the parents, she is aware of the major issues facing families with children with learning issues and is currently starting a PhD research looking at the community perception of dyslexia.
Kay’s vision is to bring her specialist knowledge into the training areas of public services - education, social and health.
For more information please see the website http://www.soundeducation.com.au
Page updated 4 Sep 2007
