Mediated Learning

Our homeschool facilitator, during his visit in November, suggested we explore mediated learning for Brendan as he begins grade one next fall. Having just read an introduction in our homeschool newsletter about it, I am very excited about this idea, not just for Brendan but for its implications in assisted learning for all of our children.

In reading about Mediated Learning at www.iclep.org I also came upon an article which further engrained my long-felt thoughts on early detection. Such a key part of our current medical model, "early detection is marked by the fact that the preventive steps to be taken may have iatrogenic effects, but compared to what might happen as the full fledged condition comes to expression, it can be considered a risk well worth taking, and to have a meaningful priority of action." Having seen first-hand the detriment of prophilactic interventions in normal physiological processes like learning and childbirth, I am vitally aware of the risks of 'early detection' as it were.

The article goes on to clarify, "the extension of the early detection model to areas related to the psychological, mental and developmental conditions of the individual creates a large number of questions as to the nature of the effects that early detection may have. There are two types of risk present in early detection. In the first type, produced by the use of minimal signs in order to form a diagnosis, the potential is there to over-attribute the meaning of certain signs..." Wow, how often is this very point seen in both developmental delays and birth? Let us not support the parent/child triad (or diad, if the case may be) by supporting the family, no. We must remove the child to a richer learning environment surrounded by others who have learning difficulties and trained specialists to guide them. Oh, and the earlier the better! The same goes for birth, let us take the smallest symptom or anomaly compared to "average" or "normal" paradigms and we must intervene! What about supportive care of the birthing mother within the wide range of normal?

Does anyone see the reasoning for both separation of a challenged child from the family unit or the constant prophilactic interventions placed on a birthing mother? I see it as two-fold. First it was seen as an improvement to expectant care, scientifically based (or theoretically so) of course. Slowly that evolved to a more potent reason, financial incentives. How can we make money supporting a challenged child or a labouring mother? Certainly not with a family-centered, hands off approach... let us intervene were possible to improve what is happening. But I digress...

Mediated learning can go both ways, but right now it will be a tool for this mother to support her languaged challenged child, born via cesarean section because of his mother's labour being atypical in length, within the family unit. This depite repeated pressures by specialists and society for a more institutionalized approach. Sorry, not in this family! We learned the hard way that institutions, while good in rare occasions, certainly will not be the standard way of doing things here. I am very excited about this opportunity to further support my children as they learn and grow to become strong individuals.