{"id":67,"date":"2016-03-31T12:23:07","date_gmt":"2016-03-31T12:23:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/schooltime.aislinthemes.com\/?page_id=763"},"modified":"2023-04-18T10:42:12","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T08:42:12","slug":"cognitive-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.liberteschool.co.za\/primary\/curriculum\/cognitive-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Cognitive Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1459847629856{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Overview”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1681807303806{padding-right: 20px !important;}”]Our cognitive development<\/a> programme forms the golden thread that underpins the Libert\u00e9 School pedagogy, educational philosophy and principles.<\/span><\/p>\n

The programme is based on modern cognitive science, also known as the science of learning and intelligence and <\/span>structured using\u00a0<\/span>individualised learning plans that prioritise the development of executive functioning skills within a child\u2019s unique areas of interest.[\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion][vc_tta_section title=”Executive Function skills” tab_id=”1681806715567-9953a8c4-b47d”][vc_column_text]Executive Function skills<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0are the mental processes and behaviours that help us to plan and achieve our goals. Just as an air traffic control system at a busy airport safely manages the arrivals and departures of many aircraft on multiple runways, the brain needs executive functioning skills to focus attention, filter distractions, remember instructions, prioritise tasks, and control impulses.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Why is Cognitive Development and Executive Function Important?” tab_id=”1681806715586-509892c7-ebc0″][vc_column_text]Executive functionsThe Building Blocks of Intelligance<\/a> are crucial for learning and development. These skills enable the higher-order mental processes required for planning, fluid intelligence (reasoning, problem-solving and adaptable thinking), self-monitoring, self-control, time management, and organisation. They also enable positive behaviour and allow us to make healthy choices for ourselves and our families.<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, these competencies are\u00a0<\/span>essential<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0for developing learning capacity.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Supporting Cognitive Development” tab_id=”1681806715601-c4c5fda7-f7c0″][vc_column_text]Humans are not born with these skills and need to develop them. Our program supports cognitive development by creating learning environments that follow the universal best practices which govern how humans learn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Individual Interests:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>As with adults, when children are provided with the freedom to pursue their interests, they tend to develop their executive functioning skills, increase their learning capacity and ability to participate in challenging mental tasks with far less effort than when forced to participate in subjects in which they have little interest. Yet, focusing on individual interests does not mean neglecting essential areas of education such as\u00a0science,\u00a0math\u00a0and\u00a0language. It simply means that we provide a learning environment where personal interests are used to introduce and teach these subjects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Autonomy\/Independence:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Our program encourages freedom, autonomy and independent learning by guiding and coaching our learners through \u201cscaffolding\u201d that helps them practise the necessary skills before performing them alone. Our program, therefore, guides learners towards increased independence by:<\/span><\/p>\n