A North-West University (NWU) senior lecturer in the subject group Psychology, Dr Petro Erasmus, developed and designed the mathematics programme Whartels™ – which is exclusively used in Let’s Really Play Maths Centres – to help foundation phase learners excel in maths.
This programme was recently launched at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in Pretoria.
Her innovative programme focuses on developing both cognitive and neuro-psychological facets to help children improve their maths skills.
Whartles™ employs a variety of play therapy techniques, such as puppets, board games, and stories, to assist children in developing maths concepts, reducing maths anxiety, developing emotional intelligence, maths resilience, self-regulation, and impulse control.
It is curriculum-based and allows children to not only master maths concepts through play-based activities, but also to develop a love for the subject from a very young age.
It is the only programme of its kind as it incorporates all types of play, from traditional play, technology (app and computer games), to augmented and virtual reality.
These proven techniques assist children, teachers and parents in developing a better understanding of maths, thereby developing children’s maths skills and increasing their maths confidence.
The WHARTELS™ programme is already operational and licensed in the market, and the technology is gaining traction. The programme is based on continuous research focused on the neuropsychology of teaching and learning maths in partnership with the NWU and Loughborough University in the UK.
Training focusing on the role of play in mathematics teaching and learning is accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, and at the South African Council for Educators for teachers. During the programme’s launch in Pretoria, TIA CEO Patrick Krappie said Whartels™ is a solution that can address societal challenges.
"The partnership with Loughborough University is a good indication that South African innovations have a place in developed countries’ markets. We often assume that developed countries have the best education systems in place, and therefore it is wonderful to see them applying South African ingenuity to address their own challenges," he added.
"Of our learners, 72% take maths literacy, which means 28 out of 100 can gain university entrance and take up studies in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)fields. However, the challenge is that only 50% of these learners will pursue STEM fields, coupled with a 50% dropout rate of students in the engineering field who do not continue with their studies," says Dr Erasmus.
“This means that only five out of every 100 learners in South Africa can develop the solutions as set out in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.”
She adds that in her research, she discovered study orientation to be a predictor of maths achievement, which means that one's attitude towards math as well as emotional intelligence, resilience and maths anxiety predict maths achievement.
“In order to develop these skills, we need to start teaching learners to excel in maths when they are very young and optimal brain development can take place.”
More about Dr Erasmus
Dr Petro Erasmus’s main research interests are neuro-developmental disorders – such as dyslexia, autism, and ADHD with a specific focus on developmental dyscalculia, maths achievement, resilience and emotional intelligence, and career guidance.
She also has a private practice, the Child and Family Guidance and Development Centre in Mahikeng. The centre offers counselling for individuals, families and couples, as well as various therapies and psychological assessments. She is the founder member of the company PENPlay (Psychology, Education, Neuro + Play) that focuses on developing play solutions for all ages.
Dr Petro Erasmus addresses the audience during the launch of the Whartels™ mathematics programme at the Technology Innovation Agency in Pretoria.
Tutors of the Whartels™ mathematics programme working with a young child.
