The Role of the Learner Facilitator -
What the learner facilitators say.....
To help the child with social skills.
To be a mediator for the child.
To be a coach and mentor for the child.
To help the child with learning by using effective learning methods.
Helping the child to be independent.
(Sandra du Plessis)
On hearing about the field of facilitation, I initially presumed that it involved someone sitting in the back of the classroom, helping a child to make sense of what was currently being taught. I have since learnt that it is so much more than that - facilitation is the privilege of coming alongside a young individual who has entrusted you with their unique difficulties, their hopes and fears; and augmenting the learning process to become more accessible and even enjoyable.
As a facilitator, I aspire to contribute to the emotional wellbeing of the child, recognising their weaknesses and capitalising on their strengths. Every child has a place in society, and as a facilitator I would work towards helping the child to reach their fullest potential, believing in the contribution that they can make to the world. Longing for acceptance and recognition spans all ages, cultures and peoples; a young child is no different.
Facilitating the child’s learning process would include teaching the necessary social skills to assist integrating the child with their peers for improved social relations. All this would not be possible without consulting and working closely with the therapists, teachers and parents involved in the child’s life. Ultimately, the desired outcome of facilitation is to see the child becoming independent and functional in their school environment, and blossoming into a confident, positive individual ready to be inclusively involved with society.
(Caren Fürst)
I believe a facilitator is a bridge between teacher and learner. A person with the open-mindedness to connect with what the learner may need in the moment. They are skilled in the art of empathy and strength of character so that they can offer kindness, boundaries, opportunities and challenges! They are mediators and tutors with a deep understanding for the challenges the children they work with work with face as they guide them towards independence !
(Suzanne Lemoine)
I believe that my role as a facilitator is to help children to enjoy learning and to become independent without being afraid to try new things. I would focus on a child’s strengths and would use these to help bring out the best in the child. This, in turn, would help boost self esteem which I believe is really important!
Every child can learn and part of learning is learning through play. So, while helping with academics is important, it is also important to equip a child with social skills too. This would enable a child to enjoy a well rounded education and ultimately find learning and life fun. I believe in the following saying by Natalia Ginzburg: “What we must remember above all in the education of our children is that their love of life should never weaken.”
(Fiona Stewart)
"I believe a facilitator is a person who is specifically trained to sit along side a child with specific needs so that they can partake in a mainstream environment. She/he adapts the teacher's instructions in such a way that with her/his help the child is able to cope. The aim should be to reach the stage when the child can manage independently."
(Talia Albert)
A facilitator should strive to enable the learner to be the best that they can be: to help the child to learn in an environment which is stress free, challenging but not overwhelm- ming, fun but focused on what needs to be learnt. A facilitator should work with the
child’s interests and passions and their own learning styles to allow him or her to achieve their very best. The facilitator needs to be sympathetic and respectful to the parents and supportive of the teachers, all the while remembering that the main focus is the child not the curriculum
(Denise Pape).
I think a facilitator assists the child to do the best they are able to, and teaches them skills with the aim to manage as independently as they can"
(Alice Machado)
I believe that a child needs a sense of belonging. Providing skills to create a strong sense of self worth and a strong sense of who they are, is vital for a child`s self esteem. Once the self esteem is positive, challenges can easier be faced and overcome. Working as a facilitator would help overcome feelings of loneliness the child may have in the classroom.
(Rozanne Henry)
* To help break down the child's work for him/her for them to understand it better.
* To give the individual a chance to learn on the same level as the typical child.
* To build up the child's confidence in themselves that way they become independant individuals.
* TO teach the child good habits, social skills and ways of learning.
* To do a job so good to prove how important Inclusive education is, for the child with challenges as well as for his/her peers, and to have inclusive education in main stream schools instead of more "special" schools.
A key role for effective facilitation is to establish a relationship of trust with the child/learner.The facilitator guides the child in how to cope with situations that seem threatening. S/he teaches the child skills in how to manage or overcome specific social and/or academic challenges with the aim of reaching an adequate level of functional independence. Being a voice for the child when necessary and a mentor is crucial to ensuring the child's well being on all levels.
(Erika Abrahams)
My role of being a Facilitator is to help build the child’s confidence within themselves and within their school work. To help the child grow as a individual and enjoy their school careers and make friends and enjoy life. To help the child become independent for their future. Role of a facilitator is to make a difference in the child’s life and allow them to enjoy life and school.
(Claire Bennie)
* To set attainable goals for the learner.
* To teach the learner independence.
* To be positive and work on the learner's strengths.
* To be compassionate and to encourage the learner.
* Stay positive.
(Theresa Smith)
Facilitation requires a positive, enthusiastic and confidence-inspiring personality, whose maxim should be Preparation, Patience and Practice. A calm, problem-solving nature coupled with a desire to interact and connect is paramount, as is responsibility, loyalty and constancy.
Give Your Learner Wings, Then Stand Back And Watch Them FLY!
(Tracey-Lee Dogon)
To be a mediator for the child.
To be a coach and mentor for the child.
To help the child with learning by using effective learning methods.
Helping the child to be independent.
(Sandra du Plessis)
On hearing about the field of facilitation, I initially presumed that it involved someone sitting in the back of the classroom, helping a child to make sense of what was currently being taught. I have since learnt that it is so much more than that - facilitation is the privilege of coming alongside a young individual who has entrusted you with their unique difficulties, their hopes and fears; and augmenting the learning process to become more accessible and even enjoyable.
As a facilitator, I aspire to contribute to the emotional wellbeing of the child, recognising their weaknesses and capitalising on their strengths. Every child has a place in society, and as a facilitator I would work towards helping the child to reach their fullest potential, believing in the contribution that they can make to the world. Longing for acceptance and recognition spans all ages, cultures and peoples; a young child is no different.
Facilitating the child’s learning process would include teaching the necessary social skills to assist integrating the child with their peers for improved social relations. All this would not be possible without consulting and working closely with the therapists, teachers and parents involved in the child’s life. Ultimately, the desired outcome of facilitation is to see the child becoming independent and functional in their school environment, and blossoming into a confident, positive individual ready to be inclusively involved with society.
(Caren Fürst)
I believe a facilitator is a bridge between teacher and learner. A person with the open-mindedness to connect with what the learner may need in the moment. They are skilled in the art of empathy and strength of character so that they can offer kindness, boundaries, opportunities and challenges! They are mediators and tutors with a deep understanding for the challenges the children they work with work with face as they guide them towards independence !
(Suzanne Lemoine)
I believe that my role as a facilitator is to help children to enjoy learning and to become independent without being afraid to try new things. I would focus on a child’s strengths and would use these to help bring out the best in the child. This, in turn, would help boost self esteem which I believe is really important!
Every child can learn and part of learning is learning through play. So, while helping with academics is important, it is also important to equip a child with social skills too. This would enable a child to enjoy a well rounded education and ultimately find learning and life fun. I believe in the following saying by Natalia Ginzburg: “What we must remember above all in the education of our children is that their love of life should never weaken.”
(Fiona Stewart)
"I believe a facilitator is a person who is specifically trained to sit along side a child with specific needs so that they can partake in a mainstream environment. She/he adapts the teacher's instructions in such a way that with her/his help the child is able to cope. The aim should be to reach the stage when the child can manage independently."
(Talia Albert)
A facilitator should strive to enable the learner to be the best that they can be: to help the child to learn in an environment which is stress free, challenging but not overwhelm- ming, fun but focused on what needs to be learnt. A facilitator should work with the
child’s interests and passions and their own learning styles to allow him or her to achieve their very best. The facilitator needs to be sympathetic and respectful to the parents and supportive of the teachers, all the while remembering that the main focus is the child not the curriculum
(Denise Pape).
I think a facilitator assists the child to do the best they are able to, and teaches them skills with the aim to manage as independently as they can"
(Alice Machado)
I believe that a child needs a sense of belonging. Providing skills to create a strong sense of self worth and a strong sense of who they are, is vital for a child`s self esteem. Once the self esteem is positive, challenges can easier be faced and overcome. Working as a facilitator would help overcome feelings of loneliness the child may have in the classroom.
(Rozanne Henry)
* To help break down the child's work for him/her for them to understand it better.
* To give the individual a chance to learn on the same level as the typical child.
* To build up the child's confidence in themselves that way they become independant individuals.
* TO teach the child good habits, social skills and ways of learning.
* To do a job so good to prove how important Inclusive education is, for the child with challenges as well as for his/her peers, and to have inclusive education in main stream schools instead of more "special" schools.
A key role for effective facilitation is to establish a relationship of trust with the child/learner.The facilitator guides the child in how to cope with situations that seem threatening. S/he teaches the child skills in how to manage or overcome specific social and/or academic challenges with the aim of reaching an adequate level of functional independence. Being a voice for the child when necessary and a mentor is crucial to ensuring the child's well being on all levels.
(Erika Abrahams)
My role of being a Facilitator is to help build the child’s confidence within themselves and within their school work. To help the child grow as a individual and enjoy their school careers and make friends and enjoy life. To help the child become independent for their future. Role of a facilitator is to make a difference in the child’s life and allow them to enjoy life and school.
(Claire Bennie)
* To set attainable goals for the learner.
* To teach the learner independence.
* To be positive and work on the learner's strengths.
* To be compassionate and to encourage the learner.
* Stay positive.
(Theresa Smith)
Facilitation requires a positive, enthusiastic and confidence-inspiring personality, whose maxim should be Preparation, Patience and Practice. A calm, problem-solving nature coupled with a desire to interact and connect is paramount, as is responsibility, loyalty and constancy.
Give Your Learner Wings, Then Stand Back And Watch Them FLY!
(Tracey-Lee Dogon)
Every child is a star, sometimes there's just so much going on in their minds and they struggle to shine. A facilitator is there to assist the child in managing all those thoughts and feelings and by doing that, the child can then reach his or her full potential.
A facilitator is a friend and a sidekick and somebody you can rely on to help you overcome obstacles, but also somebody who will always encourage you to try something on your own.
(Marilet Warner)
A facilitator is a friend and a sidekick and somebody you can rely on to help you overcome obstacles, but also somebody who will always encourage you to try something on your own.
(Marilet Warner)
A learner facilitator functions as a kind of bridge, making it easier for the child who is seen as atypical to connect with the typical school system. The learner facilitator is a positive influence in the child’s life, working with their strengths, and acknowledging their successes, focusing on what the child CAN do. In this way the child may develop a healthier self-esteem and become more independent.
(Jessica Williams)
(Jessica Williams)
I believe a facilitator is a person who is there to guide children in the right direction when it comes to education, social skills and life skills. Someone who is there to correct them in order for them to be able to become independent. Having a facilitator allows them to become confident in what they need to do.
Jade Anderson
Jade Anderson
The primary role of the facilitator is to undergird and support the child with a view of independence in their school/learning environment. The facilitator does this by optimising the child's learning experience in both the class room or home(tutor environment) and in the social setting. The facilitator is 100% for the child. He/she is the child's number one fan and champion and builds self esteem and confidence through making learning fun and setting them up for success. A good facilitator will communicate well with the child, the parents/caregivers, the teacher and other therapists or specialists helping the child to make moving forward for the child easier.
Maurietta Stewart
Maurietta Stewart
A facilitator is there to teach a child new skills and enhance their existing skills both academically and socially through POSITIVE and effective teaching methods in order to increase the child's independence as well as confidence in own abilities.
Megan Gregorowski
Megan Gregorowski
The Learner Facilitator is there to help the child get through their difficulties in the classroom. Also to deal not only with learning difficulties but also to deal with behavioural and social needs.
Verna Jansen
Verna Jansen
I believe a facilitators is there to fully support & help the child/children to reach their full potential & help them thrive. They work alongside the the parents,teachers & all other support people that he/she has. This will help them SUCCEED to their fullest potential, let them spread their wings & fly.
Help him/her learn socially from their friends around them, of course especially learn from the facilitator self. Always have a positive input in his/her daily life, help them over come obstacle.
Help him / her to strengthen their strengths & being effective in your methods of teaching him/her, making learning fun & easier for them to understand & for them to cope in their classroom environment.
Be their number ONE fan, be someone they are comfortable to talk too.
Pam Burger
I believe the facilitator has many roles. A facilitator needs to be the bridge between teacher and learner. A facilitator needs to be a support system, listening to what the child needs and fulfilling that to the best of their capacity. A facilitator needs to be shoulder to lean,someone your child can depend on and open up to. Once that relationship has been established, your child can learn to trust the process in which they are on. Therefore a facilitator is a teacher, a friend, a confidant.
Jade Goodman
Jade Goodman
The role of a facilitator is to guide , prepare , teach and help the child navigate through academic and social environments, to make them comfortable within themselves and with others. To coach him/her thru the difficult part of school social behavior, and help him/her reach their academic potential. It requires planning, creativity and reading between the silence as to what the child needs or seeking.
Veronique van Tonder
Veronique van Tonder
The role of the facilitator is to encourage self-confidence and ability in the child or learner and to help them in their growth process and learning. The learner facilitator helps to instil an inner sense of encouragement, reliance and motivation that will help the child act responsibly and become socially, academically and functionally independent.
Noelene van Schoor
Noelene van Schoor
The role of a facilitator is to aid and remind the child what they are capable of in their unlimited capacity as beings of Light, to bring forth the latent powers of their little beings and reach their potential as people and become heroes in their own right.
Shafeeqah Edross
Shafeeqah Edross
A learner facilitator s someone who is caring, compassionate, nurturing, committed mentor who is there to guide and assist learners in reaching their success.
Yusra Abrahams
Yusra Abrahams
Through respect and patience a learner facilitator takes on a huge responsibility working alongside a young individual. It is only with love and compassion that the learner facilitator recognises the needs and existing competence in that young individual. Working with the team, that is parents, teachers, therapists, etc., the learner facilitator always keeps the child’s interests at heart. This includes but is not limited to emotional and physical environment and is accomplished through principles based on years of dedication, experience and total commitment.
Celeste Vegter
Celeste Vegter
A facilitator enables children with any type of special need to become independent and functional in a school environment. A facilitator will create opportunities for engagement between the child and the teacher as well as with other children in the class. As well as ensuring that the academic and educational needs of the child are met. A facilitator also helps them to integrate and relate to their peers socially. A good facilitator needs to feel passionate about helping special needs children and have endless patience and persistence. Things will get tough at times and the facilitator is there to act as a cushion for the special needs child and get them back on the path to success as quickly as possible.
Penny van Zyl
I believe that children are a gift and possess diverse talents and capabilities. As a Learner Facilitator I consider it a privilege that I will help facilitate special needs students learning and academic growth. My goal to help encourage my students to look beyond the four walls of a classroom and view the world around them as a place of learning and discovery. By doing this, I hope to instill in a special needs student a desire to become lifelong learners.
Hillary Prens
I feel that a Learner Facilitator carries more than one role with more than one title. The main goal of a facilitator would be to assist a child and to help them improve and grow educationally as well as personally. As a learner facilitator:
Penny van Zyl
I believe that children are a gift and possess diverse talents and capabilities. As a Learner Facilitator I consider it a privilege that I will help facilitate special needs students learning and academic growth. My goal to help encourage my students to look beyond the four walls of a classroom and view the world around them as a place of learning and discovery. By doing this, I hope to instill in a special needs student a desire to become lifelong learners.
Hillary Prens
I feel that a Learner Facilitator carries more than one role with more than one title. The main goal of a facilitator would be to assist a child and to help them improve and grow educationally as well as personally. As a learner facilitator:
- you are a personal support system
- you are a body guard
- you provide guidance and assistance
- you promote and encourage independence and growth
- you break down any barrier walls
- you set realistic yet achievable goals
- you are so much more…
The Learner Facilitator :
* makes careful observations of all relevant antecedents, behaviours and consequences.
* designs suitable corrective interventions based on these findings.
* patiently, sympathetically and persistently applies of these interventions to lead, encourage and support the
special needs child.
* ensures the cooperation and empathy of the teacher and classmates by explaining the demands of the
corrective interventions and effective learning method.
* with continued upgrading and reinforcement of interventions succeeds in enabling the special needs child
to gain confidence and self esteem.
* facilitates engagement with other children and meet the social and academic demands of a main stream
school environment.
Sumeen van Niekerk
* makes careful observations of all relevant antecedents, behaviours and consequences.
* designs suitable corrective interventions based on these findings.
* patiently, sympathetically and persistently applies of these interventions to lead, encourage and support the
special needs child.
* ensures the cooperation and empathy of the teacher and classmates by explaining the demands of the
corrective interventions and effective learning method.
* with continued upgrading and reinforcement of interventions succeeds in enabling the special needs child
to gain confidence and self esteem.
* facilitates engagement with other children and meet the social and academic demands of a main stream
school environment.
Sumeen van Niekerk
I believe that the role of a facilitator is as follows: to encourage inclusive education for all children; to assist the teacher so that there is as little disruption to the class as possible; to encourage and build confidence for a special needs child; to make a difference in a child’s learning experience; to understand and guide a child to realise their potential.
Julie Frankenfeld
Julie Frankenfeld
Learner facilitation is a relatively new career, and involves working with special needs children on a one to one, supporting them, guiding them, building their confidence, self - esteem and social skills. A very rewarding, inspiring and stimulating career path.