fbpx

Mckenzie Is Blossoming

Mainstream education seemed to be failing our son Mckenzie. We were becoming increasingly concerned that he would become a statistic: a child who shows potential but does not receive the appropriate remedial intervention may struggle later on. The onset of COVID and the altered way of learning appeared to intensify his delays in grasping some of the critical foundational phase concepts.

Following an assessment in December 2020, we enrolled Mckenzie at Edublox for the 2021 academic year. He was experiencing some developmental lags in terms of reading speed, comprehension, mathematics, and Afrikaans, coupled with an incapacity to regulate his emotions appropriately.

When Mckenzie came home after the first day at Edublox, he proudly uttered, “My naam is Mckenzie en ek is sewe jaar oud.” I nearly fell off my chair. After ONE DAY at Edublox and he was able to say this, whereas, after an entire year in Grade 1, he could not identify the simplest words.

Mckenzie’s reading speed and comprehension have improved exponentially, as well as his confidence. He now reads more fluently and has read several books this year which were near impossible for him to read previously.

His vocabulary has always been extensive, but he has learnt synonyms and antonyms, and he continues to surprise us with the spontaneous questions that he poses, most of which are difficult to answer. His understanding of mathematics concepts has also grown in leaps and bounds. Initially, addition and subtraction were the same concepts, but through patience on his teacher’s part, a lot of repetition, and support at home, he has been able to embed some of the concepts a lot more comfortably.

I have been in awe of my child, who had entered school hating learning and reading (while knowing him to be very inquisitive), who was now blossoming from the fledgling into a completely different version of himself. The love, care, lessons, learning, and teaching (but also firm approach) have benefitted our son and have reinforced my belief in EASY (Edublox Academic Support Years), its philosophy, and specifically the teachers and their tremendous dedication and patience, and genuine concern to provide the best environment conducive for teaching and learning.

The Edublox programme offers an integrated, holistic, bespoke, and focused effort that is not intended to be applied in a blanket fashion but takes cognisance of a range of psychosocial, educational, emotional, and personal factors impinging on a child’s education. It encourages parents to recognise that a child’s learning style, home and academic environment should be set up to offer a child the best circumstances in which they can become self-actualised, fully functioning, independent, and successful young members of their ecosystems. The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the teachers and staff, and their love for education are unsurpassed. Edublox represents part of our family’s village that the adage suggests it takes to raise a child. We know our child is loved for who he is; he is not expected to assimilate but retains his identity and is allowed to flourish and evolve into the best version of himself. Having started on the back foot in many areas, and feeling disillusioned about where to turn during our times of despair, we are blessed to be a part of this amazing school.

Karl Heslop  


Improvement in sentence structure:


Improvement in fine motor skills:

Share Button

Karl Heslop Mckenzie’s Father

Skip to toolbar