FUNKCIONALNO UČENJE in WALDONOV PRISTOP

FUNKCIONALNO UČENJE in WALDONOV PRISTOP

Funkcionalno učenje je metoda, ki sta jo prvotno opisali Katrin Stroh, Thelma Robinson in Alan Proctor v svoji knjigi Vsak otrok lahko uči (2008 Sage). Temelji na njihovem delu z dr. Georgeom Strohom v bolnišnici High Wick za otroke z učnimi težavami in razvojnimi zamudami. Jane Blatt je v drugi, posodobljeni izdaji iste knjige (Amazon 2021) njihovo delo bolj uskladila z delom dr. Geoffreyja Waldona, avtorja Waldonovega pristopa.

Splošno razumevanje
Geoffrey Waldon, avdiolog in nevrolog, ki je skozi leta opazoval otroke, je razvil teorijo učenja, ki poudarja prvih približno 3 leta nevrotipičnega razvoja, v katerem otroci razvijajo svoje splošno razumevanje. Ta teorija učenja se osredotoča na zgodnje gibe vseh otrok in na to, kako preko igre razvijajo razumevanje prostora in fizičnega sveta okoli sebe. Splošno razumevanje se zaključi z otrokovo sposobnostjo uporabe orodij "Kako se učiti", ki še dodatno poglabljajo njihovo razumevanje.

Splošno razumevanje se razlikuje od in ključno podpira kulturno specifično učenje. Pristop funkcionalnega učenja dopolnjuje celostno razumevanje otroka s terapevtsko podporo za te otroke in njihove družine - motnje hranjenja ter druge težave s spanjem, odvajanjem in oblačenjem so lahko za družino zelo zahtevne.

Za namene te predstavitve Funkcionalnega učenja in Waldonovega pristopa bomo izraz "Waldonov pristop" uporabljali kot krovni izraz za oba pristopa.

Komu je namenjen Waldonov pristop?
Ta pristop je primeren za otroke z različnimi razvojnimi izzivi, vključno z:

  • Otroci z avtizmom,
  • Otroci z ADHD,
  • Otroci z razvojnimi zamudami ali učnimi težavami,
  • Otroci s cerebralno paralizo,
  • Otroci z motnjami senzorne integracije,
  • Otroci, ki se normalno razvijajo, vendar potrebujejo malo dodatne pomoči pri učenju.

Kaj razvija Waldonov pristop?
Osnovno načelo Waldonovega pristopa je, da otroci skozi gibanje razvijajo temeljne motorične in kognitivne sposobnosti. Metoda je značilna po strukturirani igri, ki spodbuja otroke, da večkrat ponavljajo osnovne gibe, ki so ključni za zgodnje učenje, vključno s sposobnostjo usmerjanja in preusmerjanja pozornosti, reševanjem problemov ter razumevanjem vzročno-posledičnih odnosov. Dejavnosti spodbujajo razvoj telesne integracije in organizacijo bližnjega telesnega prostora. Poleg tega te dejavnosti podpirajo otrokovo samozavest in neodvisnost, saj skozi gibanje pridobiva izkušnje v posebni lekciji, imenovani "Waldonova asocialna lekcija".

Waldonova asocialna lekcija
Tukaj je nekaj osnovnih dejavnosti, ki jih izvajamo z otroki:

  • Pobiranje predmetov in njihovo polaganje v različne posode, da spodbudimo ritmične, raznolike in naporne gibe, ki podpirajo telesno integracijo in razvoj prijema in sproščanja.
  • Uporaba ročnih orodij, kot so palice, grabljice, zajemalke in vrči za nalivanje, da spodbudimo različne prijeme in podaljšamo otrokovo doseganje ter uporabo telesnega prostora okoli sebe.
  • Različne dejavnosti, ki zahtevajo preklapljanje pozornosti, kot je izmenična uporaba rok, kar pomaga pri razvoju zgodnjih "nadaljevalnih vedenj". Otrok lahko ponavljajoče preklaplja fokus med različnimi deli telesnega prostora, nazaj in naprej.
  • Odkritje učinkov gravitacije in značilnosti materialov skozi zlaganje, gradnjo in sestavljanje.
  • Ustvarjanje, opazovanje in prepoznavanje vzorcev, kar razvija zgodnje sekvenciranje.

V tej Waldonovi lekciji učitelj nima pričakovanj glede otrokovega razumevanja, ima pa visoka pričakovanja glede njegovega truda v tihem okolju, brez govorjenja in brez nagrad za delo. Uživanje in okrepitev za opravljeno delo prihajata iz otroka samega; bolj ko je otrok aktiven, večja je notranja okrepitev. Lekcija posnema okolje normalno razvijajočega se otroka pri igri.

Predstavitev Waldonovega pristopa: Delavnica oktobra 2025 v Sloveniji
Waldonov pristop je orodje za podporo razvoju otrokovega splošnega razumevanja skozi gibanje in igro. Osebno pridobivam znanje neposredno od Jane Blatt, avtorice druge izdaje knjige Vsak otrok lahko uči, in njene sodelavke Marilyn Crook, ki sta obe strokovnjakinji in izkušeni vodji Waldonovega in Funkcionalnega učnega pristopa. Oktobra 2025 načrtujem, da bosta obe gostji na dvodnevni delavnici Waldonovega pristopa v Sloveniji. Dobrodošli, da spremljate zavihek za izobraževanje za nadaljnje informacije.

NAROČANJE: 051 427 078, za@zabavnoucenje.si

 

FUNCTIONAL LEARNING and The WALDON APPROACH

Functional Learning is a method originally described by Katrin Stroh, Thelma Robinson and Alan Proctor in their book Every Child Can Learn (2008 Sage) based on their work with Dr George Stroh in High Wick Hospital for children with severe learning issues and developmental delay. Jane Blatt, in her updated second edition of the same book (Amazon 2021), brought their work more in line with Dr Geoffrey Waldon, the originator of the Waldon Approach.

General Understanding.

Geoffrey Waldon, an audiologist and neurologist who observed children over many years, devised a theory of learning which highlights the first 3 years or so of neurotypical development where the children develop their General Understanding. This theory of learning is based around the early movements of all children and how they develop their understanding of space and the physical world around them through their play. General Understanding culminates with the ability of the child to use their 'Learning How To Learn Tools' which further extends their understanding.

General Understanding contrasts with, and crucially underpins Cultural Particular learning. The Functional Learning Approach adds to the holistic understanding of the child by creating therapeutic support for those children as well as their families - eating disorders and other sleeping, toiletting and dressing issues can be very challenging for the whole family.

For the purposes of this introduction to Functional Learning and The Waldon Approach, we will use 'Waldon Approach' as an umbrella term for both approaches.

Who is the Waldon Approach intended for?

This approach is suitable for children with various developmental challenges, including:

  • Children on the autism spectrum,
  • Children with ADHD,
  • Children with developmental delays or learning difficulties,
  • Children with cerebral palsy,
  • Children with sensory integration disorders.
  • Children who are developing normally but need a bit of extra help in their learning.

What does the Waldon Approach Develop?

The basic principle of the Waldon Approach is that through movement children develop foundational motor and cognitive abilities. The method is characterized by structured play that encourages children to variously repeat basic movements  which are critical for all early learning, including focusing and refocusing of attention, problem-solving, and the understanding of cause-and-effect relationships. The activities essentially promote the development of bodily integration and the structuring of near body space. In addition, these activities support the child’s self-confidence and independence as they gain experience through their own movements in a special lesson we call the 'Waldon Asocial Lesson.'

The Asocial Waldon Lesson.

Here are some of the basic activities we do with our children:

  • Picking objects up and Putting them into a variety of containers to encourage rhythmic, varied and effortful movements which support bodily integration and the development of grasp and release.
  • Using hand-held tools like sticks, rakes, scoops and pouring jugs to encourage different grasps and to extend the child’s reach into, and use of bodily space around them.
  • Varied activities that require the switching of attention, as in the alternate use of hands, which help develop early 'continuant behaviours'. Here the child is able to repeatedly switch the focus of activity-interest between separate regions of bodily space, back and forth continually.
  • Discovering the effects of gravity and the characteristics of materials through Piling, Building and assembling activities.
  • Creating, observing and recognizing patterns which develops early sequencing.

In this Waldon Lesson, the teacher has no expectations of understanding on the part of the child but has high expectations of effort in a quiet environment with no speaking and with no rewards for the child for doing the work. Pleasure and reinforcement for the work comes from within the child; the more active the child, the greater the intrinsic reinforcement. The Lesson replicates the environment of a normally developing child at play.

Introducing the Waldon Approach: A Workshop in October 2025 in Slovenia.

The Waldon Approach is a tool to support the development of a child's General Understanding through movement and play. I am personally gaining knowledge directly from Jane Blatt, the author of the second edition of the book Every Child Can Learn, and her colleague Marilyn Crook, both specialists and experienced facilitators in the Waldon and Functional Learning Approaches. In October 2025, I plan to host both of them for a two day Waldon Workshop in Slovenia. You are welcome to follow the Education section for updates.