ITEC - Education Training

11/06/2026

09/06/2026

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.

04/06/2026

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).

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZGJRuZMzUd/?igsh=MWRrenFyb2J5ejVqNQ==

04/06/2026

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.

04/06/2026

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.

29/05/2026

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/DY4QLYmkdrL/?img_index=6&igsh=dGVidjBua3UwaXZn

22/05/2026

Wise words

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYngZFqo05J/?igsh=amJ0a2MxdDVlZjFr

21/05/2026

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.

20/05/2026

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the teachers in our program who are serving in the Gamtoos Valley, along with their young learners and families. We hope for a swift recovery from the floods in their region and wish for a return to normal life very soon.

Patensie Primary School, Baviaans Kouga Primary and Graslaagte Full service School/ Voldiens Skool.

17/05/2026

Strike a balance between teacher-led and student-led learning: https://edut.to/4durp7U