12 March 2024

Bellavista iThemba

By Bellavista iThemba

Johannesburg, South Africa – March 2024 – Bellavista iThemba, a South African Centre for Cognitive Education, proudly announces the launch of its transformative cognitive education centre, extending the renowned methodologies of Bellavista School to clients beyond its walls.

Drawing from the rich experience and successful implementation of an integrated cognitive education pedagogy of Bellavista School, Bellavista iThemba offers a diverse range of services catering to children, teenagers, and adults looking to improve their cognitive and affective skills for learning and everyday living. Embracing neurodiversity, the centre ensures inclusivity for all.

Leveraging the principles of neuroplasticity, the centre's approach integrates cutting-edge theories of Structural Cognitive Modifiability and Mediated Learning Experience. This is augmented by the implementation of Cognitive Enrichment Advantage (CEA) and Feuerstein's Instrumental Enrichment (FIE) programmes.

"We believe that learning is intrinsic to all human beings," says Alison Scott, Executive Principal at Bellavista School. "Through targeted interventions, we aim to bolster essential cognitive faculties, with methods that can develop and enhance abilities in focus and attention, learning processes, literacy, social interaction, reasoning, organisational competency, executive function, leadership, goal setting, feelings of competence and more."

The Bellavista iThemba programmes are run either virtually or in-person at the premises of Bellavista School in Johannesburg. The programme aimed at teenagers is split into two parts, each comprising weekly 60-minute sessions run over eight weeks, tailored for students in Grades 8 to 10. These sessions target essential cognitive skills such as focus, attention, organisation, memory, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, empathy, and conflict resolution. Designed to empower adolescents with vital cognitive strategies, these sessions offer an opportunity for personal growth and academic success.

The six-week cognitive education programme for parents includes weekly 60-minute sessions facilitated by trained mediators. In addition to immersive cognitive learning experiences, sessions offer an opportunity for parents and caregivers to engage in discussions surrounding cognitive education theories. Participants will delve into practical tools exploring concepts such as metacognition, mediation, and cognitive functions, empowering parents with first-hand experience and valuable insights to guide their children effectively.

The adult education programme, facilitated by trained mediators, features weekly 60-minute sessions run over eight weeks. Tailored for adults grappling with various learning challenges or seeking cognitive enhancement and enrichment, these sessions offer a dynamic platform to bolster cognitive functions and strategies, fostering personal growth and academic success.

Additionally, an individual six-week cognitive education programme, overseen by a trained mediator, offers participants the flexibility of two 35-40 minute sessions per week (12 sessions in total), either in-person or virtually at mutually convenient times. Ideal for children, teenagers, or adults facing diverse learning challenges or seeking cognitive development and enrichment, this programme provides a comprehensive platform to cultivate essential cognitive functions and strategies, fostering personal growth and academic success.

At the heart of Bellavista iThemba lies the firm belief that every individual possesses an innate capacity for learning.

Recognising the interconnectedness of humanity, Bellavista iThemba emphasises community-driven growth. The centre advocates for holistic development, equipping stakeholders with the tools and insights to support one another effectively.

For more information or to register for any of the programmes, please visit https://bellavista.org.za/ithemba/ or contact +27 (011) 788 5454.