The Starjump Program can be accessed by parents, schools, classroom teachers and private educational centres or consultants. Below is an outline of the component parts of the program. 

Assessment 

The assessment is to identify a learning difference, the issues behind a learning difficulty and the child's strengths. This enables us to then create a program that meets the specific needs of the child.  We are also able to identify if the child needs to be referred on for other specific professional advice. 

It is important to review a child's situation from a multi disciplinary perspective as the issues can be extremely complex.  Please click here (Cycle of Failure)to see why it is so important for us to pay attention to the psychological, physical and emotional needs of the child.

VSL Unlocking Literacy

The Unlocking Literacy program has been specifically designed for visual spatial learners. Please click here (Unlocking Literacy Flyer) to view a flyer which gives an overview of the program.

Social, Emotional and Educational Modules 

There over 40 different modules that we access to help visual spatial learners (VSL) come to appreciate and use their strengths.  For example, there are educational modules that focus on vsl techniques for reading comprehension, times tables, taking notes, telling the time and mind mapping to mention a few.  Social emotional modules include dealing with bullies, accepting our difference, managing anxiety, self advocacy, resilience, rules and authority, using anger in a positive way and there are many more.  Modules are usually run in conjunction with the VSL Unlocking Literacy program.  However, some modules or a combination of modules can be run independently of the literacy program.  For example, if in the assessment a child is identified as having comprehension problems 6 or 8 sessions may be dedicated to an intensive on vsl comprehension techniques that take the child into quite sophisticated language analysis the vsl way.

Starjump Club for Gifted VSL Kids 

Gifted VSl children need to socialize with peers of like mind.   Parents discover that their children don't actually have a problem socializing, they just need to be with other children who think the same way that they do.  Gifted VSL children often miss out on the gifted programs in schools because they are not necesarily high achievers. Even if they make it into the gifted programs, many struggle because most gifted programs require mastery of the written word.  Gifted VSL students have their strengths in the conceptual and non verbal areas of cognition and so are often overlooked or not recognized as being gifted.

Parents or Starjump trained teachers are encouraged to run a Starjump club for gifted vsl's.  Activities are available from the membership section of the site.  Parents are currently working with me to establish this ongoing service. Some are negotiating with Principals to run their groups in the schools while others are chosing to run the groups away from the school.  These groups are fun, challenging and meet the visual spatial learner's need to be creative.

Click here for a  Summary of Club Activities.

Starjump Vision 

The vision for Starjump in Australia is to have the program available in schools everywhere, so that visual spatial learners become fully engaged and confident in themselves as learners.  It is the best literacy support program available for VSL's and the appropriate alternative to Reading Recovery.  By embedding the program into everyday classroom practice as well, combined with having Literacy Support personnel use the program, students who are currently struggling in class will benefit greatly.  It is my vision that all students, regardless of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds will have access to this program.  Visual spatial learners are found across the intellectual spectrum and cultural boundaries and so the program needs to be in schools if those in need of it most are to benefit from it.

Please refer to the schools menu for details on what schools can do for visual spatial learners.