Faculty of Humanities School of Education 9805090w NATALIE@WBS.CO.ZA / Learning disabilities have become of increasing concern for educators. More and more children are having difficulty learning to read and write. This dissertation investigates what constitutes a learning disability, its etiology and whether or not it is possible to identify these disabilities in early childhood. The investigation further aims to discover if these learning disabilities are comprised of sub-disabilities and if these can be identified as such. To this end the research aims to determine the most appropriate remedial intervention strategies used for learning disabilities. Multisensory intervention is therefore explored. On the basis of this the Montessori Method is examined to ascertain whether or not the method can contribute to multisensory intervention at the preschool level. It is argued that the Montessori Method is admirably suited to making such a contribution. Further empirical research for these claims is indicated.

Orientador: Dalva Maria Bianchini Bonotto / Resumo: Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo compreender alguns sentidos construídos sobre a educação ambiental e o trabalho com valores na educação infantil a partir das práticas docentes de duas professoras participantes de um programa de formação continuada voltado a essa temática. Uma vez que neste programa as professoras se propuseram a realizar um projeto em suas escolas que articulasse a temática ambiental e a alimentação, um segundo objetivo deste estudo foi a discussão sobre possibilidades e limites para a implementação do projeto nas escolas. No corpo teórico apresento um debate a respeito da Educação Ambiental (EA), e do posicionamento de que esta modalidade é um direito das crianças, portanto deve figurar desde a Educação Infantil. Por se tratar de um campo vasto de atuação, faço uma distinção entre as diferentes vertentes de EA, optando por compreender a EA Crítica, suas características e bandeiras de luta. A partir do referencial teórico apresentado, também argumento suas características e bandeiras de luta A partir do referencial teórico apresentado também argumentam sobre a crise de valores que se desdobra no relacionamento humano com o meio natural, procurando fundamentar os valores na infância com a teoria do psicólogo Lev S. Vygotsky. Também buscando compreender os valores no microcosmo das relações, a concepção de ciência do linguista Mikhail Bakhtin foi fundamental para a metodologia deste trabalho de construção dos sentidos que tem origem no diálogo das professoras ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This research aimed to understand some meanings built about environmental education and the work with values in early childhood education based on the teaching practices of two teachers participating in a continued education program focused on this theme. Since in this program the teachers proposed to carry out a project in their schools articulating the environmental theme and food choices, a second objective of this study was to discuss about possibilities and limitations for the implementation of the project in schools. In the theoretical body I present a debate on Environmental Education (EE), and the positioning that this modality is part of the rights of children, hence it should be present from Early Child Education. Because this subject is vast, I make a distinction between the different aspects of EE, opting to understand Critic EE, its characteristics and fight flags. I also argue, from the theoretical referential presented, about the crisis of values that unfolds in the human relationship with the natural environment, seeking to ground the values in childhood with the theory of the psychologist Lev S. Vygotsky. Also seeking to understand the values in the microcosm of relationships, the linguistic conception of the linguist Mikhail Bakhtin was fundamental to the methodology of this work of forming meanings that are originated in the dialogue between the teachers and the children. The data of this work were produced in the classroom, relying on video recordings of t... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Cette thèse part de la proposition d\'une rencontre possible entre psychanalyse et génétique médicale par le biais des soins offerts aux enfants porteurs de syndromes génétiques, notamment le syndrome de l\'X fragile. Nous avons trouvé dans les recherches en épigénétique une voie de rapprochement de ces différents champs du savoir. L\'idée selon laquelle l\'environnement est capable de modifier l\'expression des gènes représente la rupture d\'un certain déterminisme génétique autrefois accepté, et ouvre un espace où penser la singularité. Notre travail propose d\'élargir le concept d\'environnement, en y considérant la relation de l\'enfant avec l\'Autre, lieu du langage, comme opérateur de marques sur son corps : marques symboliques, constituées dès le tout début de la rencontre de l\'infans et de ceux qui s\'occupent de lui. C\'est justement dans cet espace d\'échange avec l\'Autre qu\'a lieu l\'émergence d\'un sujet. Nous avons opté pour les concepts de sujet et de transfert pour soutenir l\'articulation de la clinique psychanalytique et de la génétique médicale en ce qui concerne le traitement. Nous avons donc exposé trois cas cliniques issus de notre pratique, d\'enfants traversés par le diagnostic de l\'X fragile afin d\'illustrer de quelle manière les conceptions de sujet et de transfert se reflètent dans la clinique. Tenant compte que la psychothérapie est également prise comme objet d\'étude de l\'épigénétique, et qu\'elle est donc considérée comme un environnement capable de provoquer, voire de renverser des marques épigénétiques, l\'enjeu de notre travail repose sur la proposition suivante : et pourquoi pas la psychanalyse également ? La psychothérapie psychanalytique, ancrée sur le transfert, ne peut-elle pas, elle aussi, laisser des marques sur le petit patient / The current thesis assumes a possible encounter between psychoanalysis and medical genetics based on the treatment applied to children carrying genetic syndromes such as the Fragile X Syndrome. Epigenetic studies are a way to approximate different knowledge fields. The assumption that the environment is able to change gene expression strays from the genetic determinism we once believed and opens the way for us to reason about singularity. The proposition in the present study lies on expanding the concept of environment, by taking into consideration the relation between the child and the Other in the environment in question, as well as the place of language as the operator marking the childs body. These symbolic marks start emerging in the first encounter between the infans and caregivers. The subject emerges precisely 3 within an environment of exchanges that is set with the Other. The concepts of subject and transference were chosen to support the treatment articulation between psychoanalytic clinic and medical genetics. Thus, the present study reports three clinical cases followed by the authors, which involved children diagnosed with fragile X syndrome. These cases illustrate how the aforementioned concepts affect the clinical practice. Since psychotherapy has also been taken as the object of epigenetic studies, and as it is considered an environment able to cause, and even reverse, epigenetic marks, the current study relies on the following proposition: why not psychoanalysis as well? Can the psychoanalytic psychotherapy, anchored in the concept of transference, leave marks on the little patient too?

Cette thèse part de la proposition d\'une rencontre possible entre psychanalyse et génétique médicale par le biais des soins offerts aux enfants porteurs de syndromes génétiques, notamment le syndrome de l\'X fragile. Nous avons trouvé dans les recherches en épigénétique une voie de rapprochement de ces différents champs du savoir. L\'idée selon laquelle l\'environnement est capable de modifier l\'expression des gènes représente la rupture d\'un certain déterminisme génétique autrefois accepté, et ouvre un espace où penser la singularité. Notre travail propose d\'élargir le concept d\'environnement, en y considérant la relation de l\'enfant avec l\'Autre, lieu du langage, comme opérateur de marques sur son corps : marques symboliques, constituées dès le tout début de la rencontre de l\'infans et de ceux qui s\'occupent de lui. C\'est justement dans cet espace d\'échange avec l\'Autre qu\'a lieu l\'émergence d\'un sujet. Nous avons opté pour les concepts de sujet et de transfert pour soutenir l\'articulation de la clinique psychanalytique et de la génétique médicale en ce qui concerne le traitement. Nous avons donc exposé trois cas cliniques issus de notre pratique, d\'enfants traversés par le diagnostic de l\'X fragile afin d\'illustrer de quelle manière les conceptions de sujet et de transfert se reflètent dans la clinique. Tenant compte que la psychothérapie est également prise comme objet d\'étude de l\'épigénétique, et qu\'elle est donc considérée comme un environnement capable de provoquer, voire de renverser des marques épigénétiques, l\'enjeu de notre travail repose sur la proposition suivante : et pourquoi pas la psychanalyse également ? La psychothérapie psychanalytique, ancrée sur le transfert, ne peut-elle pas, elle aussi, laisser des marques sur le petit patient / The current thesis assumes a possible encounter between psychoanalysis and medical genetics based on the treatment applied to children carrying genetic syndromes such as the Fragile X Syndrome. Epigenetic studies are a way to approximate different knowledge fields. The assumption that the environment is able to change gene expression strays from the genetic determinism we once believed and opens the way for us to reason about singularity. The proposition in the present study lies on expanding the concept of environment, by taking into consideration the relation between the child and the Other in the environment in question, as well as the place of language as the operator marking the childs body. These symbolic marks start emerging in the first encounter between the infans and caregivers. The subject emerges precisely 3 within an environment of exchanges that is set with the Other. The concepts of subject and transference were chosen to support the treatment articulation between psychoanalytic clinic and medical genetics. Thus, the present study reports three clinical cases followed by the authors, which involved children diagnosed with fragile X syndrome. These cases illustrate how the aforementioned concepts affect the clinical practice. Since psychotherapy has also been taken as the object of epigenetic studies, and as it is considered an environment able to cause, and even reverse, epigenetic marks, the current study relies on the following proposition: why not psychoanalysis as well? Can the psychoanalytic psychotherapy, anchored in the concept of transference, leave marks on the little patient too?

Cette thèse part de la proposition d’une rencontre possible entre psychanalyse et génétique médicale par le biais des soins offerts aux enfants porteurs de syndromes génétiques, notamment le syndrome de l’X fragile. Nous avons trouvé dans les recherches en épigénétique une voie de rapprochement de ces différents champs du savoir. L’idée selon laquelle l’environnement est capable de modifier l’expression des gènes représente la rupture d’un certain déterminisme génétique autrefois accepté, et ouvre un espace où penser la singularité. Notre travail propose d’élargir le concept d’environnement, en y considérant la relation de l’enfant avec l'Autre, lieu du langage, comme opérateur de marques sur son corps : marques symboliques, constituées dès le tout début de la rencontre de l’infans et de ceux qui s’occupent de lui. C’est justement dans cet espace d’échange avec l'Autre qu’a lieu l’émergence d’un sujet. Nous avons opté pour les concepts de sujet et de transfert pour soutenir l’articulation de la clinique psychanalytique et de la génétique médicale en ce qui concerne le traitement. Nous avons donc exposé trois cas cliniques issus de notre pratique, d’enfants traversés par le diagnostic de l’X fragile afin d’illustrer de quelle manière les conceptions de sujet et de transfert se reflètent dans la clinique. Tenant compte que la psychothérapie est également prise comme objet d’étude de l’épigénétique, et qu’elle est donc considérée comme un environnement capable de provoquer, voire de renverser des marques épigénétiques, l’enjeu de notre travail repose sur la proposition suivante : et pourquoi pas la psychanalyse également ? La psychothérapie psychanalytique, ancrée sur le transfert, ne peut-elle pas, elle aussi, laisser des marques sur le petit patient ? / The current thesis assumes a possible encounter between psychoanalysis and medical genetics based on the treatment applied to children carrying genetic syndromes such as the Fragile X Syndrome. Epigenetic studies are a way to approximate different knowledge fields. The assumption that the environment is able to change gene expression strays from the genetic determinism we once believed and opens the way for us to reason about singularity. The proposition in the present study lies on expanding the concept of environment, by taking into consideration the relation between the child and the Other in the environment in question, as well as the place of language as the operator marking the child’s body. These symbolic marks start emerging in the first encounter between the infans and caregivers. The subject emerges precisely within an environment of exchanges that is set with the Other. The concepts of subject and transference were chosen to support the treatment articulation between psychoanalytic clinic and medical genetics. Thus, the present study reports three clinical cases followed by the authors, which involved children diagnosed with fragile X syndrome. These cases illustrate how the aforementioned concepts affect the clinical practice. Since psychotherapy has also been taken as the object of epigenetic studies, and as it is considered an environment able to cause, and even reverse, epigenetic marks, the current study relies on the following proposition: why not psychoanalysis as well? Can the psychoanalytic psychotherapy, anchored in the concept of transference, leave marks on the little patient too? / Esta tese parte da proposição de um encontro possível entre psicanálise e genética médica através do tratamento oferecido às crianças com síndromes genéticas, notadamente a Síndrome do X Frágil. Encontramos nas pesquisas em epigenética uma via de aproximação entre os distintos campos de saber. A ideia de que o ambiente é capaz de alterar a expressão dos genes quebra com um certo determinismo genético outrora acreditado, abrindo espaço para se pensar a singularidade. Nosso trabalho propõe a ampliação do conceito de ambiente, considerando nele a relação da criança com o Outro, lugar da linguagem, como operadora de marcas no seu corpo: marcas simbólicas, constituídas desde os primórdios do encontro do infans com seus cuidadores. É justamente nesse ambiente de trocas com o Outro que se dá a emergência de um sujeito. Os conceitos de sujeito e transferência foram escolhidos para sustentarmos a articulação da clínica psicanalítica com a genética médica no que concerne o tratamento. Assim, expusemos três casos clínicos oriundos de nossa prática, de crianças atravessadas pelo diagnóstico de X frágil no intuito de ilustrar de que forma as concepções de sujeito e transferência incidem na clínica. Levando-se em conta que a psicoterapia tem sido igualmente tomada como objeto de estudo da epigenética, sendo, desta forma, considerada como ambiente capaz de provocar e até mesmo reverter marcas epigenéticas, a aposta de nosso trabalho repousa na seguinte proposição: e por que não a psicanálise também? Será que a psicoterapia psicanalítica, ancorada na transferência, não pode ela também provocar marcas no pequeno paciente?

There are very few extensive sample studies that target normative versus pathological sexual behavioural problems. Debate exists around the role of attachment when treating children who come from chaotic backgrounds. Children from these backgrounds may lack the stability and predictability that they need in order to develop the appropriate skills to regulate their affects, understand and maintain healthy and safe relationships, and develop a strong sense of self and good behavioural control mechanisms. Because of a lack of knowledge regarding sexualised behaviour, social workers working with children in middle childhood may find it difficult to distinguish between appropriate and less appropriate sexualised behaviour in children in their middle childhood. It may happen that appropriate sexualised behaviour in children is labelled as problematic, while the function of the behaviour may in fact be defined as an act of self-nurturing. The researcher has since asked the question about the link between sexualised behaviour and self-nurturing amongst children in children’s homes. The relationship between these two variables can have a significant effect on the way professionals view children who display sexualised behaviour in institutions where there is a lack of affection and significant attachment to adult figures. Children in middle childhood who display sexualised behaviour have specific needs that role players, specifically social workers, have to keep in mind in order for effective intervention to take place. If discrepancies exist in this area, it could impact negatively on the implementation of services rendered to these children. For the proposed study the collective case study design was the most appropriate design as the researcher collected and analyzed qualitative data by to doing semi-structured interviews. The semi-structured interviews were used to gain a detailed picture of participants’ beliefs or perceptions about, or accounts of the particular topic. Qualitative data was analyzed by means of planning for the recording of the data, managing and organizing the data, reading and writing memos, generating themes, categories and patterns in order to prove or contest a hypothesis. In order to ensure the success of the study, the researcher did a pilot study before the main investigation itself and ethical aspects were adhered to by the researcher throughout the study. Through the empirical study, it can be concluded that there is a significant relationship between sexualized behaviour and trauma that children experience. However, when sexualized behaviour as a nurturing mechanism becomes obsessive, compulsive and there is no balance, then only can it be viewed as a problem and should be addressed. It is important to remember that ‘sexual play’ should be seen as a normal part of childhood development. There was general consensus that sexualized behaviour could be regarded as a self-nurturing mechanism. Focus was put on the needs of children and how it related to inappropriate sexualized behaviours and self-nurturing as a need in itself. It was recommended that there should be improved service delivery to children, who manifest with sexualized behaviour, training for professionals and lastly continual research on the subject. AFRIKAANS : Daar is weinig grootskaalse ondersoeke gerig op die normatiewe teenoor die patologiese seksuele gedragsprobleme gedoen. Debatte bestaan rondom die rol van bindings wanneer kinders behandel word wat uit chaotiese agtergronde kom, By kinders vanuit hierdie agtergronde mag die stabiliteit en voorspelbaarheid ontbreek wat nodig is om die toepaslike vaardighede van hul gevoelens, die begrip om gesonde en veilige verhoudings te verstaan en die ontwikkeling van ’n sterk gevoel van eiewaarde en goeie gedragskontrolemeganismes te ontwikkel. As gevolg van die gebrek aan kennis rakende seksuele gedrag, kan maatskaplike werkers wat met kinders in hulle middel-kinderjare te doen het, dit moeilik vind om te onderskei tussen toepaslike en mindertoepaslike seksuele gedrag by hierdie kinders. Dit mag gebeur dat toepaslike seksuele gedrag by kinders as problematies bestempel word, terwyl die funksie van die gedrag egter gedefinieer kan word as ‘n daad van selfkoestering. Die verband tussen seksuele gedrag en selfkoestering by kinders in die kinderhuis word daarom deur die navorser bevraagteken. Die verhouding tussen hierdie twee veranderlikes kan ’n betekenisvolle uitwerking hê op die professionele uitkyk op kinders wat seksuele gedrag openbaar in inrigtings waar daar ’n gebrek is aan affektiewe en betekenisvolle gehegtheid teenoor ’n volwasse figuur. Kinders in hul middelkinderjare wat geseksualiseerde gedrag openbaar, het spesifieke behoeftes wat deur die maatskaplike werker in ag geneem moet word ten einde effektiewe ingryping te verseker. Indien daar teenstrydighede op hierdie gebied bestaan, kan dit ‘n negatiewe impak hê op die implementering van die diens wat aan hierdie kinders verleen word. Die kollektiewe gevallestudie was die mees toepaslike ontwerp vir die voorgestelde studie. Die navorser het kwalitatiewe data ingesamel en ontleed deur middel van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude. Die semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is gebruik met die doel om ’n gedetailleerde prentjie van die deelnemers se menings oor, persepsies van en verklarings rakende die onderwerp te skets. Kwalitatiewe data is ontleed by wyse van die beplanning van die data-opname, bestuur en organisering van die data-opname, lees en skryf van memos, ontwikkeling van temas, en kategorieë en patrone om die hipotese te bewys of te betwis. Ten einde die sukses van die studie te verseker het die navorser ’n voorafstudie voor die hoofnavorsing gedoen. Die navorser het aan alle etiese vereistes gedurende die navorsing voldoen. Deur die empiriese studie wat gedoen is, kan daar tot die gevogtrekking gekom word dat daar ‘n betekenisvolle verband is tussen die geseksualiseerde gedrag en die trauma wat die kinders beleef het. As geseksualiseerde gedrag, as ’n meganisme tot selfaktualisering, obsessief, kompulsief en ongebalanseerd is, dan kan dit beskou word as ’n probleem en moet dan aangespreek word. Dit is egter ook belangrik dat ‘seksspeletjies’ gesien moet word as normal in kinders se ontwikkeling. Daar was algemene konsensus dat geseksualiseerde gedrag beskou kan word as ’n meganisme tot selfkoestering. Fokus word geplaas op die behoefte van die kind en hoe dit in verhouding staan tot die onvanpaste geseksualiseerde gedrag en selfkoestering as ‘n behoefte. Verbeterde dienslewering vir kinders in wie geseksualiseerde gedrag manifisteer, opleiding vir professionele werkers en laastens voortdurende navorsing rakende die onderwerp, word aanbeveel. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted