Pontem Bloemfontein

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Pontem Bloemfontein

Pontem Developmental Centre is a Specialised Tutor Centre situated in Groenvlei, Bloemfontein.

16/01/2026

🎉 Celebrating 8 Years of Growth, Grace & Purpose 🎉

Today we joyfully celebrate 8 years of Pontem Developmental Centre —
8 years of milestones big and small,
8 years of walking alongside incredible children and families,
8 years of dedication, compassion, and unwavering belief in every child’s potential.

We are deeply grateful for our learners, families, staff, and community who have been part of this beautiful journey. Each step forward is a reminder of why Pontem exists: to build bridges of hope, development, and belonging.

Here’s to the journey behind us and the many meaningful steps still ahead. 💙✨

Happy 8th Birthday, Pontem! 🎂🥳

15/01/2026

𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏 at Pontem BFN! 🐴

𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 activates almost all the senses and improves confidence, self-esteem, and social interaction. It enhances memory, concentration, problem-solving, language skills, and physical strength. Riding promotes posture, coordination, and neuromuscular functionality. A trained therapist can further enhance these effects with specific exercises. Every care is taken to ensure your child's safety and enjoyment around horses. 🐴🌳🌈

12/01/2026

PONTEM TIP: 3

The importance of packing a healthy lunchbox is immeasurable. Kids are more alert and focused when they're fuelled with healthy food. Higher levels of sustained concentration mean that kids can more readily retain information and therefore learn.

“Eating nutritious snacks at school or pre-school is crucial for the child. It can be difficult to pack snacks that are appropriate for a child who has sensory issues.

To pack appropriately, it's critical to determine a child's aversions.

Strategies to boost the probability that the child will consume his/her healthy snacks:

🍒When you go grocery shopping, take your child along so he/she can help you choose
snacks and pack the snacks into the shopping trolley. Make the trip enjoyable for
him/her.

🍒To make the child look forward to snack time, make sure the snack box is colourful
(unique). If your child has a favourite character from a movie or television show, such as Mickey Mouse, try to find a snack box featuring that character.

🍒When you are packing the snack box, involve your child.”

-Marli Havinga Dietitian / Dieetkundige-

09/01/2026

PONTEM TIP 2:

Neurodivergent children are more likely to be over sensitive or under sensitive to their senses.

Bedtime routines can be stressful for sensitive children as they involve lots of different senses which can be overwhelming and stressful.

Try this:

Pontem FAVOURITE:

🌙 Burrito roll

Lay a blanket flat on the floor.

Have your child lay down close to one end–or lay them down–arms by their side or crossed over their chest.

Roll your child up firmly, as if you’re swaddling a baby–making sure to not wrap the blanket around their neck or cover their face.

Wrap their arms inside, but If they want their arms out–just let it be.

Once they’re wrapped, start adding the toppings. Yes, I know that you don’t really add toppings to a rolled up burrito, but just play along!

As you add the ingredients, touch the child firmly with different gestures for different toppings.

To finish:
You can gently roll them out of the blanket.

🌙 Swinging

🌙 Deep Pressure

Crush: Getting crushed can feel really really good! It’s also very calming and reduces cortisol and increases serotonin in the brain (serotonin is the sleep chemical). Think along the lines of slow motion wrestling with pillow squish breaks. Make sure they can breathe!

🌙 Smells
Essential Oils: The use of essential oils or even comforting smells like a child’s favourite cooking can have a powerful effect on the nervous system. Things like lavender, bay leaf, or other aromatherapies can be useful.

08/01/2026

Get ready for the 2026 school year:

PONTEM TIP 1:

School-age kids need 9–12 hours of sleep a night. Homework, sports, and after-school activities, screen time (on computers, TVs, smartphones, and other devices), and hectic family schedules all can lead to kids not getting the sleep they need.

Kids who don’t get enough sleep may be cranky, moody, or hyper, and have behavior problems. They may have trouble learning and paying attention in school.

Help your child create a relaxing routine. It should take about 30 minutes and can include taking a shower or bath, brushing teeth, and quiet activities like reading.

Turn off all screens at least 1 hour before bedtime. Keep TVs, computers, and video game systems out of the bedroom. Turn off cellphones or charge them overnight outside of the room.

It also helps to:

Set regular bedtimes and wake-up times.
To be sure your child gets enough sleep, decide when your child needs to get up for school in the morning and count back 9–12 hours from there.

On weekends, try to stick to the sleep schedule as close as you can. Aim for sleep or wake-up times no more than an hour later than on weekdays.

Keep the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet.
Don't give your child foods or drinks with caffeine (found in coffee, tea, sodas, and chocolate), especially in the late afternoon or evening.

Make sure your child gets plenty of exercise during the day. This can help kids sleep better at night.

01/01/2026

To our amazing Brain Gain Family

Thank you for joining us on this journey of focus, growth, and peak performance! Every session, every achievement, and every breakthrough you’ve celebrated with us has made Brain Gain more than just a program—it’s a community, and it’s all because of YOU.

May 2026 be a year filled with sharper focus, new milestones, unstoppable energy, and plenty of Brain Gain wins!

26/12/2025

🌟 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 – Happy Day of Goodwill! Let's spread kindness and joy, making the world a better place for all. 💖

24/12/2025

May His love, peace, and grace fill your heart this Christmas.”

08/12/2025

Movement begins with play.

27/11/2025

School Readiness Doesn’t Begin in November

School readiness is a transition — a bridge between two phases of childhood: the playful child phase and the school child phase.

Life is full of transitions: birth; from home to school; from school to further learning and then work; from living alone to sharing space with another; becoming a parent; moving from one job or boss to another; relocating; retiring – and many others in between.

The success (or not) of each transition determines how the next phase will unfold. When we plan and prepare for a new phase and things go smoothly, we literally “bloom where we are planted.” But when a transition is unexpected, unplanned, and catches us off guard, things can go awry — especially with school readiness.

Read the full article here: https://www.mindmoves.co.za/2025/07/03/school-readiness-doesnt-begin-in-november/

School Readiness at Mind Moves
Skoolgereedheid Mind Moves
BabyGym Institute International
ATKV
SA Childcare Association
SAOU Nasionaal / National

AECYC Association for the education and care of young children/ VVOS
AONetwerk
RSG
Radio Namakwaland 93.4fm

Your Pregnancy & Baby Magazine

Address

Kenilworth Road
Bloemfontein
9301

Telephone

+27823087206

Website

http://www.pontemdc.co.za/

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