Tarien Breytenbach

I am Tarien Breytenbach, a 25-year-old PhD student at the North-West University. I aim to finish my PhD to help more parents and teachers enhance STEAM skills in ECD learners. I am awaiting the results of my Master's degree submitted in November 2023. I am also in my third year of psychology to broaden my knowledge for effective teaching.

Throughout my academic journey at North-West University, I have acquired valuable skills since I have experienced several working environments within this university.
As a lifelong learner, I am committed to continuously improving my knowledge through courses and workshops. My research interests include play-based learning and LEGO®, driven by the belief that all children should enjoy learning. I have recently developed an interest in Early Childhood Development (ECD), expanding my knowledge through Udemy courses.

I am hard-working and punctual and enjoy learning new skills or gaining knowledge from different people. I aspire to work in a secure environment alongside more experienced academics to grow as a lecturer and in my personal capacity. I have a passion for teaching in this sector that drives me to improve my teaching, ensuring every student at North-West University has a valuable educational experience

Professional Associations
Registered Specialist Wellness Counsellor (ASCHP): SWC23/1717
South African Council for Educators (SACE): 12815574

2024

Temporary lecturer; BEd Programme; EDCC215: Educational Psychology (North-West University)

Temporary lecturer; BEd Foundation Phase Programme; ENAF211: English First Additional Language (North-West University)

Temporary lecturer; BEd Programme; LSKS111: Life Skills for Early Childhood Education Development (North-West University) 

Temporary lecturer; Grade R Diploma; RMAT211: Teaching, Learning and Assessment of Mathematics in Grade R (North-West University)

Temporary lecturer; Advanced Certificate in Education; AMAT511: Planning for Effective Mathematics Teaching and Learning in the Foundation Phase (North-West University)

Temporary lecturer ;Grade R Diploma; RFLS111: Fundamental Academic Literacy and Support (North-West University)

Temporary lecturer; BEd in Early Childhood Care and Education  EMKT111: Mathematical Knowledge for ECCE teachers (North-West University)

2023

Research assistant: Community-Based Educational Research (COMBER) (North-West University)

Temporary lecturer EDCC215: Educational Psychology (North-West University)

Temporary lecturer Grade R Diploma, Distance Learning, RFAL 221 (North-West University)

Marker-EDCC 215 (North-West University-Potchefstroom campus)

Marker-EDCC 224 (North-West University-Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campus)

Marker-EDCC 524 (North-West University-Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campus)

2022

Research assistant, Educational Psychology subject group (North-West University) 

Subject group Assistant, Educational Psychology (North-West University)

Marker- EDCC 215 (North-West University-Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campus)

Marker- EDCC 524 (NWU-Potchefstroom and Mahikeng campus)

WIL excursion facilitator (North-West University)

Substitute lecturer, Educational Psychology, EDCC 224 (North-West University)

IPE coordinator, Educational Psychology subject group (North-West University)

Au Pair (GP van Rheede van Oudtshoorn)

EDC Courses and attendance

2024

Educational Psychology & Special Education (Udemy)

Complete Guide to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) (Udemy) 

The Complete Early Childhood Education (Lower Kindergarten) (Udemy) 

The Complete Early Childhood Education (Upper Kindergarten) (Udemy)

Early Childhood Theories and Practices for Everyday life (Udemy)

2023

Teaching Math and Literacy to young children (3-5 years old) (Udemy)

Early Childhood Education Numeracy and Math Development (Udemy)

Early Math Development (Udemy)

Sensory Explained Simply (Udemy)

Math with stories (Udemy)

The Power of Play and its impact on early childhood learning (Udemy) 

How to translate Early Childhood Education into Practice (Udemy)

Other courses, attendance and training

2024

Panopto training (North-West University)

POPIA training (North-West University)

IRIMS training (North-West University)

eFundi training (North-West University)

2023

LEGO® Playbox Training 

LEGO® Succes Cube Training

Psychology 2 (cum laude) 

 2022

Social Learning and Collaboration in School (Future Learn)

Coping with Changes: Social-emotional Learning Through Play (Future Learn)

A Six Bricks Workshop:  Learning through Play in Educational Psychology (Care for Education)

Voice of the Child 

2020

ATKV debate judge course

2019

Office of the Academic Student Association 

2018

Choir course (NWU) 

2017

  Die taak en rol van die Christen Onderwyser

Computer Proficiency

MS (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, Outlook)

Online teaching platforms: eFundi, Zoom, Google Meet, Teams

Research outputs 

LEGO® Six Bricks® rethinks promoting 21st-century wellness skills for teaching and learning in children (2023-12-01) (AOSIS)

Papers presented

Utilizing LEGO® 6Bricks to enhance the pedagogy of pre-service teachers (COMBER Conference)

Research in progress

Six Bricks®: A path to wellness in the educational and health systems (2023-12-01)

Community-based Research and Environmental Education for Sustainability; Early Childhood Education for Sustainable Development in Communities (AOSIS) 

Early childhood professional development: an African perspective (JUTA)

Research Interest

Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Care and Education, LEGO® (6Bricks and

Duplo Playboxes), STEAM Skills Development, Special Needs Education. 

2024

MEd Special Needs Education-  (cum laude) -(North-West University)

Psychology 3-To be completed in 2024 (North-West University)

PhD to be commenced in 2024 -Interest: ECD and STEAM skills development

2022
Bachelor of Education, Honors in Special Needs education (cum laude) -North-West University

2021

Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase Teaching with Mathematics, Science and Technology (cum laude)-North-West University