Tina Cowley Reading Centre Westville
Readers are Achievers
Reading is the instrument that enables us to communicate effectively, and it forms the basis of all learning and academic success. Research has proven that students’ achievements are directly related to their ability to read.
DID YOU KNOW?
A learning problem is a reading problem
Unfortunately, many of our children do not reach the academic potential they are more than capable of because their basic reading skills, reading with comprehension, phonics and language skills are not on standard.
“No skill is more crucial to the future of a child, or to a democratic and prosperous society, than literacy.” (Los Angeles Times: A Child Literacy Initiative for the Greater Los Angeles Area.)
If your child finds reading difficult or their academic report is not up to standard, book an appointment for an assessment at Tina Cowley Reading Centre in Westville, and we will get to the root of the problem.
The good news is that once problems are detected and the correct help given, they can be successfully overcome
This is such an amazing programme for children who struggle with reading. Since Jed has attended the Reading Centre, his reading has improved dramatically, and he has become far more confident and self-assured. It is amazing how he has gone from struggling to read to reading fluently. He now loves reading.
If several of the points below sound familiar to you, there is a possibility that your child has a reading problem that needs to be addressed.
Identifying a child with a reading problem
- Shows stress and anxiety when completing school work
- Has a poor self image and lacks confidence
- Still relies on sounding / spelling a word before being able to read it
Has a slow, laboured reading speed - Regards reading as a chore
- Cannot remember what has just been read
- Untidy writing
- Problems distinguishing foreground from background
- Problems with laterality
- Excellent mathematical skills
- Switches words in the spoken language
- Struggles academically and is not reaching his/her potential
We boast of an 8% to as much as a 40% increase in your child’s average performance because we sharpen the tool of life…reading!
What we do
We offer our classes to
- Preschool/school going children with a reading handicap that is affecting their results
- Illiterate adults or adults wanting to improve on their job opportunities
- Students needing to increase reading speed for study purposes
- Second language learners
- Gifted preschool/school going children wanting to forge ahead
- Handicapped people tested as non-educable
- Grade 4 – 12 learners needing assistance in developing learning and study skill techniques
Dear Wendy, Joshua and I would like to say a big thank you to you for all your help. I approached your Centre after receiving a negative report from Joshua’s teacher. I was advised that his maths grades were extremely good, however, he was reading below his grade.
I was at my wits end and decided to give your Centre a try, a decision I am proud of (the best investment I ever made). I normally dread opening Joshua’s report but the half yearly report was such a pleasure to read. For the first time I got such a good review of his reading. He was complimented on his vocabulary, his clarity of speech and his improvement in reading.
We were over the moon, and the fact that he looks so forward to coming to you on a Saturday adds to my joy. Thank you once again for making my boy a confident young man and making my life a little easier…
Assessment
At our Reading Centre, through Scientific Reading Evaluations, we assess the various components brought into play when exercising this all important learning tool – reading.
We are able to pinpoint exactly where the root of the problem lies and what your child’s reading efficiency is, allowing us to then create a reading therapy programme suited to the needs of your child. On completion of the evaluation, results are discussed with parents and written reports are given.
The Tina Cowley Reading Centre in Westville has developed a confidence building, non-threatening environment where our students are able to begin the journey of reaching the potential they are more than capable of.
Activities during therapy
Basic skills of reading
These all important skills are the foundation of reading and need to be on standard for a child to progress successfully. Eye span, spatial relations, form perception, auditory perception, sequencing and laterality.
Handle therapy
This includes several exercises which strengthen underlying microsystems in order to allow for the body to work as a complete unit. Just one exercise can improve and strengthen eye movement, articulation, lip and tongue control and sound sensitivity.
Brain gym
Small body movements are used to integrate all parts of the brain to enhance learning. Brain gym focuses on the physical, not the cognitive aspects of learning. Good physical development means that the ears, eyes, hands, feet and senses work together like a well-coordinated team.
Brain gym integrates laterality (coordinates the left and right hemispheres for effective communication), centering (coordinates the top and bottom of the brain for the organisation of thoughts and actions), and focus (coordinates the back receptive and introvert part for comprehension and perspective).
Eye kinetics
These exercises strengthen the eye muscles to facilitate smooth eye movement, which is important for reading.
Reading with comprehension, spelling and language skills
Our Reading Centre
At our Tina Cowley Reading Centre in Westville each student is important to us. Working in a happy, confidence building environment makes learning fun and easy.
We have seen a great improvement in his reading and spelling since starting the reading programme. We can only thank Wendy and Cait for their dedication and enthusiasm in encouraging James to reach his potential and strengthen any weaknesses so that he can progress in the class environment and cope with ease in the grade he is currently in.
Wendy has been amazing in her support to me, as a parent and a mother, with her information, advice, encouragement and comfort. She has been a sounding board to my many questions, to which she always has an answer, and if not, goes the extra mile to find the answer.
Who we are
Wendy Redman is the franchisee of the Tina Cowley Reading Centre in Westville. Wendy has 20 years experience as a teacher and is a trained Reading Therapist. She is registered with SACE (SA Council for Educators).
Wendy is ably assisted by Cait, a trained Reading Therapist, who holds a Master of Science, is a Qualified Reading Therapist and currently completing her PGCE
We boast of an 8% to as much as a 40% increase in your child’s average performance because we sharpen the tool of life…reading!
We conduct a scientific test of your child’s reading so we know exactly how to address any problems. Invest in your child’s future and enrol them at our Reading Centre in Westville.
Awards received
Tina Cowley Reading Centre Westville
- Franchisee of the Year 2020
- Top 3 Franchisee
- 5 Year Diamond Status
Dr Tina Cowley
Dr Tina Cowley developed the unique “Cowley Assisted Reading Methodologies” programme during her relentless pursuit to overcome her son’s reading problem. Her quest for a solution meant she would have to give up her career as a psychologist. She travelled the globe researching reading and learning methods.
During this time the Tina Cowley Keyboard was invented. This modified, user-friendly keyboard provides a spontaneous reading tool which, when used with other therapies, allows the students to more rapidly identify letters, increasing their letter recognition. It assists students to overcome the difficulty they have distinguishing the foreground from the background.
Dr Tina Cowley holds a PhD in Learning and Reading Methodologies.
The success of the “Cowley Assisted Reading Methodologies” programme can be seen in the more than 100 franchises operating around the country and in Australia.
Wendy proved to be a valuable member of the management team during my watch as Principal.
- She took on the responsibility of HOD with dedication and involved herself fully with curriculum development.
- She was in charge of Intermediate and Senior Phase English.
- She introduced and managed the School Reading Programme.
One of her duties was school discipline. Because of her manner she gained the trust of the children.
Bringing up two boys with ADHD has given her an understanding and sense of compassion for children who experience difficulties in and out of school.
Although Wendy was an HOD, her first priority was always to the children in her class. She nurtured them and had a knack of bringing out the best in them. I know this will continue at the Tina Cowley Reading Centre in Westville.
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of reference for Mrs Redman. Mrs Redman taught at Ashley Primary School for many years and was Head of Department in the Senior Primary section. She is a lady whom I have the deepest respect for, and whose objectivity on matters I valued.
She is a highly committed lady who has a deep insight into the Curriculum that is presently being used nationally. She ensured that all educators under her care were fully au fait with CAPS (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements), and that all lessons were prepared according to this document.
Mrs Redman was also able to identify learners who had certain barriers to their learning. She ensured that these learners whom she had identified, received the right remediation and care. Having taught both English and Mathematics for many years, she has hands-on experience.
May I conclude by adding that Mrs Redman is a wonderful and caring lady who can be entrusted with your children.
Good luck Mrs Redman in your endeavours, and may you grow from strength to strength.
Contact us
Suite G11b, Business Partners Building, 23 Jan Hofmeyr Rd, Grayleigh, Westville, 3630
8.00 – 18.00
Saturday
7.30 – 13.00
