School Readiness Assessment

This is a detailed assessment of your child’s intellectual abilities (IQ) as well as emotional maturity to cope with starting Grade 0 or Grade 1.
This is recommended for children who are 5 to 6 years old.
We also look at:

Assessment of IQ, Learning Strengths and Developmental Areas 

Once your child has started school, he or she may not be coping with school or homework, or generally at home. This could result in your child having trouble with reading, spelling, handwriting, following instructions, listening in class, completing work, behaving appropriately or making friends.

This is a detailed assessment which looks at your child’s strengths, abilities and difficulties in the following areas:

• Intellectual Abilities (Verbal and Non-Verbal IQ)
• Emotional maturity and coping skills
• Academic abilities: Reading, Writing, Spelling, Comprehension & Maths
• Hand-eye co-ordination and fine-motor control
• Language development
• Practical reasoning ability
• Ability to pay attention 
•  Motivation to finish work
• Ability to work independently and see mistakes

What does a full  psycho-educational assessment of school-readiness or learning capabilities involve?

• An initial interview with the parents (usually on the morning of the assessment).
• On the day of assessment: your child will spend a morning (with Melanie, Hansini or Chenelle), where she will conduct a full psycho-educational assessment.
• A feedback session, together with a full written report, to discuss results and recommendations (usually within 1-2 weeks of assessment).

Reading and Spelling Therapy

Melanie, Hansini & Chenelle are trained  Reading Therapists in the Phono-Graphix method for teaching children to read.
This is suited to:

• Teaching children to read from age 5 onwards
• Remediating reading,spelling problems and dyslexia (from children to adults)

Maths Enrichment Lessons

Melanie, Hansini & Chenelle offer Maths Enrichment lessons for Grade 1 to 8 focusing on the particular areas that the child is having difficulty with.

Career Guidance

Assistance with subject choice
This is recommended for learners in grade 8 and 9 to help them identify their interests and to ensure that the best subject choice is made.

An appropriate subject choice is important because it can not only impact on whether a learner is motivated and interested to learn, but can also impact on the learner’s options for where and what to study after matriculation.

Assistance with career choice
As learners approach grade 10 to 12, they may need assistance and counselling about what would be good options for a possible career or field of study.

An analysis of a learner’s personality factors, interests in different areas, values and needs, as well as aptitudes for different kinds of tasks can be beneficial in making a choice.

 Option 1: Career Assessment

What does a full career or subject choice assessment involve?

• The assessment consists of an interview with the student to gain information on thier schooling experiences, work history and academic performance.
• The full battery of psychometric tests take approximately 4/5 hours.
• A feedback session is scheduled 1 to 2 weeks from day of assessment with the student to discuss results and recommendations (this is optional).
• A comprehensive written report is provided.

These assessments can be conducted individually or in a group. The group assessments and interviews can be administered at the school/organisation.

Option 2: Career and Subject Choice Workshop

Discover your Career Workshop. Workbook compiled by Dr Lanette Hattingh and Debbie de Jong.

• Helps students learn more about themselves and enhances their personal development by exploring their interests, thinking styles and personality.
• Introduces students to the world of work.
• Helps students select subjects for grade 10 and asssists learners with course selection for tertiary study.

What does a career or subject choice workshop involve?

• An interactive individual or group-based workshop of approximately 4 to 5 hours.
• Feedback session

Study skills Assistance & CV Writing, Interviews and Job Finding Workshops

Some learners may require assistance in applying the basic study skills that are required to successfully achieve at school.

Some of the topics that are covered:

• Maintaining Motivation
• Coping with Mind wandering
• Organising and Planning
• Note taking and effective listening
• Using your memory effectively
• Reading textbooks effectively
• Coping with Stress
• Preparing for Exams

We also offer individual or group based workshops focusing on Job Finding Skills, such as CV writing and preparation for successful interviews.

Group workshops can be arranged by schools at a reduced cost for their learners.

Extra Lessons / Tutoring

Melanie offers extra lessons or tuition in the following university subjects:

UNISA BEd (Bachelor of Education) courses (such as EDT101 & 102; PRS 101, 102, 103; EDT 201, 202, 203; PRS 201, 202, 203 ETC. )

BA Psychology (First, Second, Third or Honours years)

Psychometric Internship Course work

CPD Points Accedited Small Meeting Group for Psychometrists

PsychAssess run a small meeting group for professionals who are interested in psychometric testing - the group is accredited for CPD points through the HPCSA.

The group meets once a month in Bordeaux, Randburg. If you are interested in joining, please email melanie@psychassess.co.za

Recruitment / Pre-Employment Testing / Staff Development Focused Psychometric Testing

PsychAssess also conduct recruitment or pre-employment testing for schools, organisations and educational based recruitment agencies to assist with the hiring of teaching and management staff for schools. We also do psychometric assessments on current staff in order to assist with professional development, career planning and team work.