Effective provision of school counselling as an integrated part of the overall educational system of South Africa is essential. Counselling in its present form has not been clearly defined yet. This fact can lead to possible generalization and superficiality in the presentation thereof. In this study an effort was made to give an account of the present educational and school counselling system of the Netherlands, by means of the descriptive method. The school counselling service in the abovementioned country was analised as follows at the onset a few important contextual concepts were defined. School counselling was then discussed as it exists in the different school contexts. was on the school counselling post itself. Finally the emphasis The various aspects of the school counsellor's work were discussed. The school counselling system of the Republic of South Africa was described next, with specific reference to the current manifestation of counselling as implemented by the Transvaal Education Department. A comparison was drawn between the educational and school counselling service of the Netherlands and that of the RSA. A list of requirements to which a school counselling service must comply, was also compiled. By using these requirements as guidelines, a few problem areas, as well as positive attributes of school counselling in the RSA, were identified. New insight gained after the study of the school counselling service of the Netherlands and the identification of certain problem areas or deficiencies in that of the RSA, led to a few recommendations concerning school counselling in the RSA. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1990

Perception and inquiries have revealed that not all vocational guidance teachers possess the necessary interviewing skills. The aim of the research was to identify generally applicable interviewing skills, as well as those specific interviewing skills which are characteristic of the vocational guidance provided to a pupil leaving school. The aim was furthermore to determine to what extent vocational guidance teachers in Transvaal secondary schools are grounded in these skills. It has been indicated that vocational guidance actually culminate in the interview. After the interview has been analysed from an educational perspective, attention has been given to the validity and reliability of the interview. Further attention has been given to the trainability in interviewing of vocational guidance teachers. The following most important, generally applicable interviewing skills were then identified. * Communication as interviewing skill - There is a distinction between verbal and non-verbal communication. * Listening as interviewing skill - A distinction is drawn between marginal listening, evaluative listening and projective listening. * Establishment of report as interviewing skill - A favourable emotional climate is a requirement for a successful interview. * "Silence" as interviewing skill - The following distinction applies: that between silence initiated by the interviewer, and silence initiated by the client. * Perception as interviewing skill - For the interviewer to correctly interpret that which he percepts is equally important, if not more important, than sensory perception. * Empathy as interviewing skill - It is essential for the interviewer to place himself in the position of the client without becoming emotionally involved. * Attitude as interviewing skill - Success will be determined by the interviewer's attitude towards the client. * Questioning as interviewing skill - There is a distinction between an openended and closed question. Questions should be put with utmost circumspection because it could influence the outcome of the interview. * The use of synopsis as interviewing skill - Through synopsis the client gets the opportunity to verify the information revealed to the interviewer. The specific interviewing skill characteristic to the vocational guidance situation has been identified as: The skilful interpretation of reports. The vocational guidance teacher has a lot of information about the school leaver from the guardian's file, accumulative card and vocational guidance file. The planning and application of an empirical research has been done. The research was mainly aimed at determining how important the vocational guidance teachers regard the interviewing skills and to what extent these teachers are grounded in interviewing skills. From the research it seemed that the training vocational guidance teachers received in interviewing, was inadequate. The most important conclusions were: * The importance of these interviewing skills to the interviewer can't be stressed enough. * The majority of vocational guidance teachers don't possess the basic qualifications to act as such. * Some vocational guidance teachers tend to underestimate the importance of the interviewing skills and they furthermore don't have the ability to handle• these interviewing skills adequately. The most important recommendations are: * That high priority be given to the training of interviewing skills to vocational guidance teachers. * That the Transvaal Education Department only appoint qualified vocational guidance teachers at secondary schools. * That attention should be given to the practical exercise of these skills. * That universities, in co-operation with the Transvaal Education Department present further courses in interviewing to acting vocational guidance teachers. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1986

This investigation has been undertaken to determine the extent to which personality guidance receives the necessary attention in secondary schools in the Transvaal. For this investigation the survey was conducted amongst Heads of Department for Educational Guidance in all Afrikaans-medium and double-medium secondary schools in the Transvaal. The theoretical background for the investigation was obtained by studying authoritative literature on the developmental possibilities of the secondary school pupil and the implications thereof for personality guidance. The physical, social, cognitive and emotional developmental possibilities of the adolescent were described as well as possible inherent problems. The task of the school, home and peer group with regard to the pupil's sound personality development was considered. The emphasis, however, was placed on the task of the school and in particular the role of the subject teacher. In the empirical investigation the questionnaire method was used. The SAS-computer programme was applied to determine the average of the responses for each question. From the results of the investigation it appears that 30,5% of the Heads of Department for Educational Guidance believe that personality guidance is thoroughly carried out while 45% are of the opinion that it receives only moderate attention. A further 20,4% describe the guidance provided as unsatisfactory and 4,1% of the Heads of Department indicated that at their schools nothing is being done regarding personality guidance. Even though 75,5% of the respondents reacted positively, it would appear that in practise personality guidance receives only casual attention. It is not specifically pursued and therefore It does not have a lasting effect on the pupils. Ideally the guidance programme should provide for comprehensive and thorough formative personality guidance to pupils. The results of the investigation suggest that there is definite room for Improvement. For the personality programme to be really effective, it is necessary that pupils should be maximally exposed to the contents of the programme while comprehensive involvement of a committed staff is essential. Regular follow-up is necessary to monitor progress and, if necessary, to effect adjustments. / Proefskrif (DEd)--PU vir CHO, 1989

Effective provision of school counselling as an integrated part of the overall educational system of South Africa is essential. Counselling in its present form has not been clearly defined yet. This fact can lead to possible generalization and superficiality in the presentation thereof. In this study an effort was made to give an account of the present educational and school counselling system of the Netherlands, by means of the descriptive method. The school counselling service in the abovementioned country was analised as follows at the onset a few important contextual concepts were defined. School counselling was then discussed as it exists in the different school contexts. was on the school counselling post itself. Finally the emphasis The various aspects of the school counsellor's work were discussed. The school counselling system of the Republic of South Africa was described next, with specific reference to the current manifestation of counselling as implemented by the Transvaal Education Department. A comparison was drawn between the educational and school counselling service of the Netherlands and that of the RSA. A list of requirements to which a school counselling service must comply, was also compiled. By using these requirements as guidelines, a few problem areas, as well as positive attributes of school counselling in the RSA, were identified. New insight gained after the study of the school counselling service of the Netherlands and the identification of certain problem areas or deficiencies in that of the RSA, led to a few recommendations concerning school counselling in the RSA. / Skripsie (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1990

Perception and inquiries have revealed that not all vocational guidance teachers possess the necessary interviewing skills. The aim of the research was to identify generally applicable interviewing skills, as well as those specific interviewing skills which are characteristic of the vocational guidance provided to a pupil leaving school. The aim was furthermore to determine to what extent vocational guidance teachers in Transvaal secondary schools are grounded in these skills. It has been indicated that vocational guidance actually culminate in the interview. After the interview has been analysed from an educational perspective, attention has been given to the validity and reliability of the interview. Further attention has been given to the trainability in interviewing of vocational guidance teachers. The following most important, generally applicable interviewing skills were then identified. * Communication as interviewing skill - There is a distinction between verbal and non-verbal communication. * Listening as interviewing skill - A distinction is drawn between marginal listening, evaluative listening and projective listening. * Establishment of report as interviewing skill - A favourable emotional climate is a requirement for a successful interview. * "Silence" as interviewing skill - The following distinction applies: that between silence initiated by the interviewer, and silence initiated by the client. * Perception as interviewing skill - For the interviewer to correctly interpret that which he percepts is equally important, if not more important, than sensory perception. * Empathy as interviewing skill - It is essential for the interviewer to place himself in the position of the client without becoming emotionally involved. * Attitude as interviewing skill - Success will be determined by the interviewer's attitude towards the client. * Questioning as interviewing skill - There is a distinction between an openended and closed question. Questions should be put with utmost circumspection because it could influence the outcome of the interview. * The use of synopsis as interviewing skill - Through synopsis the client gets the opportunity to verify the information revealed to the interviewer. The specific interviewing skill characteristic to the vocational guidance situation has been identified as: The skilful interpretation of reports. The vocational guidance teacher has a lot of information about the school leaver from the guardian's file, accumulative card and vocational guidance file. The planning and application of an empirical research has been done. The research was mainly aimed at determining how important the vocational guidance teachers regard the interviewing skills and to what extent these teachers are grounded in interviewing skills. From the research it seemed that the training vocational guidance teachers received in interviewing, was inadequate. The most important conclusions were: * The importance of these interviewing skills to the interviewer can't be stressed enough. * The majority of vocational guidance teachers don't possess the basic qualifications to act as such. * Some vocational guidance teachers tend to underestimate the importance of the interviewing skills and they furthermore don't have the ability to handle• these interviewing skills adequately. The most important recommendations are: * That high priority be given to the training of interviewing skills to vocational guidance teachers. * That the Transvaal Education Department only appoint qualified vocational guidance teachers at secondary schools. * That attention should be given to the practical exercise of these skills. * That universities, in co-operation with the Transvaal Education Department present further courses in interviewing to acting vocational guidance teachers. / Thesis (MEd)--PU vir CHO, 1986

This investigation has been undertaken to determine the extent to which personality guidance receives the necessary attention in secondary schools in the Transvaal. For this investigation the survey was conducted amongst Heads of Department for Educational Guidance in all Afrikaans-medium and double-medium secondary schools in the Transvaal. The theoretical background for the investigation was obtained by studying authoritative literature on the developmental possibilities of the secondary school pupil and the implications thereof for personality guidance. The physical, social, cognitive and emotional developmental possibilities of the adolescent were described as well as possible inherent problems. The task of the school, home and peer group with regard to the pupil's sound personality development was considered. The emphasis, however, was placed on the task of the school and in particular the role of the subject teacher. In the empirical investigation the questionnaire method was used. The SAS-computer programme was applied to determine the average of the responses for each question. From the results of the investigation it appears that 30,5% of the Heads of Department for Educational Guidance believe that personality guidance is thoroughly carried out while 45% are of the opinion that it receives only moderate attention. A further 20,4% describe the guidance provided as unsatisfactory and 4,1% of the Heads of Department indicated that at their schools nothing is being done regarding personality guidance. Even though 75,5% of the respondents reacted positively, it would appear that in practise personality guidance receives only casual attention. It is not specifically pursued and therefore It does not have a lasting effect on the pupils. Ideally the guidance programme should provide for comprehensive and thorough formative personality guidance to pupils. The results of the investigation suggest that there is definite room for Improvement. For the personality programme to be really effective, it is necessary that pupils should be maximally exposed to the contents of the programme while comprehensive involvement of a committed staff is essential. Regular follow-up is necessary to monitor progress and, if necessary, to effect adjustments. / Proefskrif (DEd)--PU vir CHO, 1989

It appears from the literature that the mastery of motor skills is essential for the optimal development of young school beginners' cognitive, perceptual, sport-specific and emotional skills. Researchers agree that the optimal development and mastering of motor skills occurs during specific sensitive periods in each child's life, and this is why it is important that children are provided with appropriate opportunities to develop these skills. The conditions in which a child grows up appear to be a significant factor influencing motor development during childhood. Environmental factors such as socio-economic conditions seem to play a role in the development of young children 's motor skills . Literature suggests that poor motor development generally occurs among children with insufficient areas for playing, and results from low socio-economic conditions in which the parents have a low income and limited resources. A large percentage of South African children are exposed to low socio-economic conditions that may consequently affect their development. The objectives of this study therefore were to determine the effect of socio-economic conditions on the motor- and object-control skills of Grade 1-learners. Eight hundred and sixteen (N=816) (+0.39 sd) Grade 1-learners with an average age of 6.8 years from 20 different schools in the North West Province, representing five different school types (quintile 1 (low) to quintile 5 (high), participated in the study. The short form (SF) of the "Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency" 2nd edition (BOT-2) (Bruininks & Bruininks, 2005), as well as several subscales (strength and agility and balance) of the longer form (LF) were used to evaluate gross and fine motor development and divide learners into various categories of mastering. The “Test of Gross Motor Development” 2nd edition (TGMD-2), was used to evaluate object control skills and divide subjects into various mastered categories. The data was analyzed by means of analysis of variance correlation coefficients using the "Statistica for Windows" (Statsoft, 2012) program. The results were adjusted for height and age. Two-way frequency tables and cross-tabulations were also used to analyze the data. With regards to objective 1 , the resluts showed that learners from quintile 4 and 5 schools, representing schools from higher socio-economic conditions, scored significantly better than quintile 1 to 3 schools in six sub-items (fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, bilateral coordination, strength and upper limb coordination) of the BOT-2 (SF) (p<0.05) while no differences were found in the LF subscales. Quintile 4 and 5 schools also received significantly better (p<0.05) scores in the SF standard score and percentiles of the BOT-2. The results indicate d> that the motor proficiency of learners from higher socio-economic conditions were better than those of learners from lower socio-economic conditions. With regards to the second objective of the study, the analysis of the results indicated that quintile 5 schools performed significantly better (p<0.05) in throwing, hitting, dribbling, and catching than quintile 1 to 3 schools, while quintile 1 and 3 schools performed significantly better (p≤0.05) in the kicking skill. Quintile 4 and 5 schools also fared significantly better (p<0.05) in the object control standard score than quintile 1 to 3 schools. The group's age equivalent, according to the TGMD-2, was 5.5 years, and ranged from 5.1 years to 5.9 years, indicating a mean age difference of 1.3 years compared with the chronological age of the group. / MA (Kinderkinetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

It appears from the literature that the mastery of motor skills is essential for the optimal development of young school beginners' cognitive, perceptual, sport-specific and emotional skills. Researchers agree that the optimal development and mastering of motor skills occurs during specific sensitive periods in each child's life, and this is why it is important that children are provided with appropriate opportunities to develop these skills. The conditions in which a child grows up appear to be a significant factor influencing motor development during childhood. Environmental factors such as socio-economic conditions seem to play a role in the development of young children 's motor skills . Literature suggests that poor motor development generally occurs among children with insufficient areas for playing, and results from low socio-economic conditions in which the parents have a low income and limited resources. A large percentage of South African children are exposed to low socio-economic conditions that may consequently affect their development. The objectives of this study therefore were to determine the effect of socio-economic conditions on the motor- and object-control skills of Grade 1-learners. Eight hundred and sixteen (N=816) (+0.39 sd) Grade 1-learners with an average age of 6.8 years from 20 different schools in the North West Province, representing five different school types (quintile 1 (low) to quintile 5 (high), participated in the study. The short form (SF) of the "Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency" 2nd edition (BOT-2) (Bruininks & Bruininks, 2005), as well as several subscales (strength and agility and balance) of the longer form (LF) were used to evaluate gross and fine motor development and divide learners into various categories of mastering. The “Test of Gross Motor Development” 2nd edition (TGMD-2), was used to evaluate object control skills and divide subjects into various mastered categories. The data was analyzed by means of analysis of variance correlation coefficients using the "Statistica for Windows" (Statsoft, 2012) program. The results were adjusted for height and age. Two-way frequency tables and cross-tabulations were also used to analyze the data. With regards to objective 1 , the resluts showed that learners from quintile 4 and 5 schools, representing schools from higher socio-economic conditions, scored significantly better than quintile 1 to 3 schools in six sub-items (fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, bilateral coordination, strength and upper limb coordination) of the BOT-2 (SF) (p<0.05) while no differences were found in the LF subscales. Quintile 4 and 5 schools also received significantly better (p<0.05) scores in the SF standard score and percentiles of the BOT-2. The results indicate d> that the motor proficiency of learners from higher socio-economic conditions were better than those of learners from lower socio-economic conditions. With regards to the second objective of the study, the analysis of the results indicated that quintile 5 schools performed significantly better (p<0.05) in throwing, hitting, dribbling, and catching than quintile 1 to 3 schools, while quintile 1 and 3 schools performed significantly better (p≤0.05) in the kicking skill. Quintile 4 and 5 schools also fared significantly better (p<0.05) in the object control standard score than quintile 1 to 3 schools. The group's age equivalent, according to the TGMD-2, was 5.5 years, and ranged from 5.1 years to 5.9 years, indicating a mean age difference of 1.3 years compared with the chronological age of the group. / MA (Kinderkinetics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the world. In children, both inadequate iron and fatty acid (FA) status have been found to have an effect on cognitive and behavioural function, including physical activity behaviour and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)–related behaviour. Aim: To investigate the effects of supplementation with iron and omega–3 fatty acids (n–3 FAs), alone and in combination, on spontaneous motor activity and ADHD–related behaviour in iron deficient primary school children in KwaZulu–Natal. An additional aim was to evaluate the use of the Actical accelerometer as a tool to assess physical activity behaviour. Methods: The study design was a 2x2 factorial, randomized, double–blind and placebo–controlled trial. Iron deficient school children aged six to ten years with or without mild anaemia were included in the study (n = 321). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive one of the following supplement combinations: (1) 420mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/80 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + 50mg of iron as ferrous sulphate (Fe); (2) 420mg DHA/80mg EPA + placebo; (3) 50mg of Fe + placebo; (4) placebo + placebo. Supplements were provided four times a week for a duration of 8.5 months (excluding school holidays). Physical activity of a subgroup of subjects (n=98) was recorded on four random school days at baseline, midpoint and endpoint (12 days in total) during three different time periods namely class time 1 (08h00-10h30), break time (10h30–11h00) and class time 2 (11h00–12h00). Classroom behaviour of study subjects was assessed by teachers at baseline and endpoint using the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale–Revised: Short Forms (CTRS). Iron status indicators and red blood cell (RBC) FA composition were measured at baseline and endpoint. Treatment effects were assessed for activity and CTRS scores. Furthermore, the relationship between activity, CTRS scores and iron/FA status indicators was determined using bivariate correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Overall activity of all subjects varied over time from baseline and midpoint to endpoint. A significant cycle x age interaction (P = 0.005) as well as a significant cycle x time period x gender interaction (P = 0.036) was observed on overall activity. There were no significant interactions of cycle or time period with treatment. However, there was a significant main effect of DHA/EPA supplementation for lower class time 1 activity at endpoint (P = 0.014). Biological markers indicating better or poorer iron status were positively and negatively associated with activity at break time, respectively. Subjects in the group receiving both iron and DHA/EPA supplements showed a significant improvement from baseline to endpoint on the cognitive problems/inattention subscale (P = 0.005) of the CTRS. Hyperactivity scores increased iv significantly from baseline to endpoint in all groups (P = 0.006). DHA (r = –.203; P = 0.040) and EPA (r = –.199; P = 0.044) content of RBC were negatively associated with activity at class time 1. No significant associations were observed between activity and CTRS scores at baseline. At endpoint, class time 1 activity was positively associated with all CTRS subscale scores except for the cognitive problems subscale, which only bordered significance (correlation, P = 0.051; regression, P = 0.073). Conclusions: These findings suggest that n–3 FA supplementation may have an influence on ADHD–related behaviour during class time. During school break time when subjects were allowed to move around freely, iron status was positively associated with spontaneous motor activity. Furthermore, the accelerometer might be a useful complimentary tool for assessing both classroom and break time activity behaviour in school children. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the world. In children, both inadequate iron and fatty acid (FA) status have been found to have an effect on cognitive and behavioural function, including physical activity behaviour and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)–related behaviour. Aim: To investigate the effects of supplementation with iron and omega–3 fatty acids (n–3 FAs), alone and in combination, on spontaneous motor activity and ADHD–related behaviour in iron deficient primary school children in KwaZulu–Natal. An additional aim was to evaluate the use of the Actical accelerometer as a tool to assess physical activity behaviour. Methods: The study design was a 2x2 factorial, randomized, double–blind and placebo–controlled trial. Iron deficient school children aged six to ten years with or without mild anaemia were included in the study (n = 321). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive one of the following supplement combinations: (1) 420mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/80 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + 50mg of iron as ferrous sulphate (Fe); (2) 420mg DHA/80mg EPA + placebo; (3) 50mg of Fe + placebo; (4) placebo + placebo. Supplements were provided four times a week for a duration of 8.5 months (excluding school holidays). Physical activity of a subgroup of subjects (n=98) was recorded on four random school days at baseline, midpoint and endpoint (12 days in total) during three different time periods namely class time 1 (08h00-10h30), break time (10h30–11h00) and class time 2 (11h00–12h00). Classroom behaviour of study subjects was assessed by teachers at baseline and endpoint using the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale–Revised: Short Forms (CTRS). Iron status indicators and red blood cell (RBC) FA composition were measured at baseline and endpoint. Treatment effects were assessed for activity and CTRS scores. Furthermore, the relationship between activity, CTRS scores and iron/FA status indicators was determined using bivariate correlation and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results: Overall activity of all subjects varied over time from baseline and midpoint to endpoint. A significant cycle x age interaction (P = 0.005) as well as a significant cycle x time period x gender interaction (P = 0.036) was observed on overall activity. There were no significant interactions of cycle or time period with treatment. However, there was a significant main effect of DHA/EPA supplementation for lower class time 1 activity at endpoint (P = 0.014). Biological markers indicating better or poorer iron status were positively and negatively associated with activity at break time, respectively. Subjects in the group receiving both iron and DHA/EPA supplements showed a significant improvement from baseline to endpoint on the cognitive problems/inattention subscale (P = 0.005) of the CTRS. Hyperactivity scores increased iv significantly from baseline to endpoint in all groups (P = 0.006). DHA (r = –.203; P = 0.040) and EPA (r = –.199; P = 0.044) content of RBC were negatively associated with activity at class time 1. No significant associations were observed between activity and CTRS scores at baseline. At endpoint, class time 1 activity was positively associated with all CTRS subscale scores except for the cognitive problems subscale, which only bordered significance (correlation, P = 0.051; regression, P = 0.073). Conclusions: These findings suggest that n–3 FA supplementation may have an influence on ADHD–related behaviour during class time. During school break time when subjects were allowed to move around freely, iron status was positively associated with spontaneous motor activity. Furthermore, the accelerometer might be a useful complimentary tool for assessing both classroom and break time activity behaviour in school children. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.