Music without words means leaving behind the mind. And leaving behind the mind is meditation. Meditation returns you to the source. And the source of all is sound.
Kabir
V-Excel News
Art Exhibition: During the first week of December 2007, an art exhibition was organized by V-Excel Educational Trust with support from YES Bank,
Nungambakkam, Chennai. The event was inaugurated by Mr. N. Murali, the Managing Director of ‘The Hindu’. The paintings were done by a reputed artist Mr.
Raajendran who graciously donated a part of the proceeds to our institution.
Workshop: Dr. Lakshmi Prasanna, a consultant Neonatologist and Developmental Pediatrician and Dr. Michael, who holds a Masters degree in Physiotherapy
and Cranio-sacral therapy, conducted a week-long workshop for the teachers and therapists of our Center. They introduced the subject of anthroposophic
study of children with special needs. These training sessions are invaluable as the participants got an opportunity to explore themselves as well as ‘purify’
themselves for the incredible work of teaching. Our teachers look forward to applying its principles.
Academy of Teacher Excellence News
In the exams held in the month of November 2007, all the students did extremely well in spite of their out-of-classroom schedules. We are now well into
the course and the students are very focused on the goal. Lectures on Task Analysis and Making Lesson Plans were organized to help them understand the importance
of micro-planning and effectively deploy various teaching strategies in line with the training objectives for the special child.
On December 21, the last day of the second term, the Center was agog with Christmas celebrations. The ATE trainees participated in the celebration and
arranged a lot of food and goodies for all the kids at the Center.
Kaleidoscope Learning Center (KLC) News
‘Celebrations’ continued to ring in KLC with the advent of December. The classes wore a new look – the “Christmassy” look. Carols were playing in
the classes and no child, no teacher, nor was anyone in V-Excel left without a feeling of joy, giving and good spirits. We had a musical morning for the
whole V-Excel family on 10th December ’07 where our Special Educators Neha, Puja and Rashmi sang carols and other familiar songs. It was greatly enjoyed.
The program culminated into a Christmas party on the 21st December where the Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe entertained the children with games and dance.
In a warm and beautiful gesture, the ATE batch of student teachers provided ‘goodies’ to the children and with Santa and the gifts the Christmas experience
was complete.
V-Excel Remedial Center (VRC) News
Santa came visiting with gifts and eats for all the children. Display of the nativity scenes was set up by the teachers with help of the children.
Listening to carols and looking at picture book of the story of Christ formed the month long learning experience of the children. The children went
around the whole school visiting each and every classroom wishing each other “Merry Christmas”.
Friday field trips took our children to the Vellankanni Church and Ramakrishna Mutt. The children participated in the silent prayers in both the places.
What was amazing was that our special children behaved appropriately and appeared to respect and follow the rules of the respective institutions.
Shanmathi, our star dancer, participated in the ‘Dance Drama’ presented by Vidyasagar on the World Disability Day. There were many children with disabilities
from all over Chennai and she was selected from among them to play a key role in the drama. We are proud of you, Shanmathi!
Bridges Learning Academy
The second term, being relatively short, was filled with a gamut of activities. The children were busy with their revision for the half-yearly exams.
It is indeed heartening to note that most of them have shown an improvement in performance.
Children celebrated Christmas by decorating their class rooms with multi- colored streamers and balloons. A nativity scene in one corner of the room set
the trend for the festive season. Group singing of Christmas carols was followed by a sumptuous tea and distribution of gifts from Santa Claus.
Brain gym exercises have been started for the children from January 2008. These will help them in enhancing their memory and concentration, resulting in
a better their academic performance.
Counseling Unit
Children are settling down after the Christmas and Pongal holidays. Despite the breaks, children seem to maintain their gain made in the Play
therapy previously. The group therapies which now have been extended to our Vocational Center have shown some positive effect in the social behavior of
the children. They enthusiastically await the weekly classes.
The enquiries and response from people for counseling is looking positive. The Counseling center seems truly on the roll. Apart from individual
counseling, the Department is planning a course on Specific Behavior Modification for teachers, professionals and parents. This course will address
the use of various behavior modification principles for children with special needs.
Contact Info :: India:
V-Excel Educational Trust
#1 Norton 2nd Street
Mandaveli Chennai 600 028
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24620243
91 - 44 – 24956373 E-mail us or visit us at www.v-excel.org
Contact Info :: USA:
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison, NJ 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
Volunteer Info:
Volunteers are an integral part of our success. Our most pressing needs are in the areas of occupational and speech therapies, and
as teacher aides. We also require assistance in library management.
If you have any of these and are interested in volunteering at V-Excel, please contact us.
The Tomatis Method
Did you know that ailments such as lack of balance, poor concentration, stuttering and even depression could actually be attributed to problems with
your ears? A simple therapy, known as the Tomatis Method, has proven to be an effective way to treat many ailments associated with the inner ear.
The Tomatis Method was developed by Canadian ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Alfred Tomatis. It works on the principle that if our ears aren't in
sync, meaning we hear better from one ear than we do from the other, we aren't performing to the best of our ability. This would show up in our ability
to walk, talk and communicate — as all these functions are controlled by the inner ear.
A device called the electronic ear — devised by Dr Tomatis, relays
music in such a way that it exercises the muscles in the ears. It retrains the ear by playing filtered music through the headphones, gradually
reintroducing sound through its natural journey of development. Mozart's music is used because it falls mostly in the high-frequency sound range and
has a greater number of vibrations than other types of music. It also uses both medium- and low-range pitches at random, to give the ear a solid
workout.
While the Tomatis Method is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care, its use of music and sound has helped both adults and children overcome
a variety of problems. The listening program is helpful for children who have learning difficulties or who have hearing and speech problems. It is also
beneficial for youngsters who are "late walkers or late talkers". It can help improve reading and attentiveness skills in children with ADD,
ADHD, autism and dyspraxia.
