Kinestemas Spoke Catalan Thanks to Helena Brea
However, those bridges could not be built in a vacuum; they had to be designed with a deep respect for the phonetic and linguistic identity of each community. Out of that profound need, the project embodied in the book Meu (and finalized in Seu) was born, marking the adaptation of my kinesthemic reading and writing program to the insular Catalan of Mallorca.
Bringing this publishing project to life was an immense source of pride, but above all, it was the result of a shared journey. Adapting kinesthemes to Catalan was not a simple translation; it required meticulous linguistic craftsmanship, structuring dynamic, visual, and educational material that perfectly connected gesture, sound, and word for young learners.
And this achievement honors a specific name that shone brightly in the credits as editorial assistant: Helena Brea Mora.
Helena Brea: Rigor, Commitment, and the Essence of a Shared Project
Those of you who follow this blog closely know well that the Science of Reading demands as much scientific rigor as it does empathy in the classroom. Helena embodied both worlds exceptionally. As a psychologist and educator for the Conselleria d’Educació i Universitats (Department of Education and Universities), her involvement in this project was the fundamental piece that made the whole mechanism click.
Her contribution to Meu was invaluable:
- Contribution of Ideas and Linguistic Material Helena poured all her experience and sensitivity into creating and designing the adaptation to insular Catalan, ensuring that every phonetic proposal responded precisely to the linguistic reality of Mallorca and the neuropsychology of reading acquisition.
- Teaching and Outreach She didn’t just help shape the book; she brought the methodology directly into the classroom, highly successfully teaching specialized courses on "Reading and Writing through Kinesthemes" (Lectura i escriptura per kinestemas) through the Conselleria.
- Social Commitment Beyond the classroom and clinical psychology, her human quality was reflected in her constant involvement in charitable causes, actively supporting research into rare childhood diseases and medical aid groups. That same warmth and dedication to service permeated every page of this manual.
A Farewell from the Heart: Thank You, Helena
"There are projects that mark a before and after, not just because of the book you hold in your hands, but because of the people you are fortunate enough to create them with."
Looking at the pages of Meu means, for me, remembering a path of several years of shared training. A time during which I watched Helena grow and transform from a brilliant student into an absolutely indispensable collaborator and, ultimately, the editorial right hand of this project. Her critical eye, fresh ideas, and unwavering rigor were the true engine that drove this work forward when the wind seemed to die down.
Helena, this book belongs as much to you as it does to me. Thank you for your dedication, for your undeniable talent, for your linguistic sensitivity, and for leaving an indelible mark on the Kinestema program. Your time with this project not only enriched the material but also set the bar of excellence incredibly high.
The journey with Meu in Catalan took off strong at the Es Pil·larí education center, but my time working directly with you on this volume closed a perfect cycle.
I wished you then, and I still wish you today, the greatest success in every new direction you choose to pursue in psychology and education. Rest assured that wherever you go, you will continue to transform lives with the same light and rigor with which you transformed this project.
How do you integrate multisensory tools and linguistic context into your classroom? Let's discuss in the comments below!
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