Teaching children with disabilities can be both one of the most challenging and one of the most rewarding things you can do. It is easy to become frustrated when you cannot reach a child, but all of your hard work is worth it when your message is understood by your student. Whatever the child's disability, don't give up on them. Your dedication to their education is an invaluable example of how to motivate and inspire others.
Teaching students with disabilities requires the teacher to have the patience to cater to each individual student. Here are some tips to help you in your efforts to teach children with disabilities:
1. Tailor your lessons to the strengths and interests of the child. Use his or her likes and dislikes to keep their attention and get them involved in the lesson. For example, if the child likes cars, have him or her count toy cars or pictures of cars when learning numbers.
2. Provide immediate feedback. This is crucial, as a quick response to the child's performance will create a lasting impression of the relationship between what you asked and their response. Do not scold a child for a wrong answer, but do make it clear that the answer is wrong.
3. Set short term goals and provide frequent feedback about the student's progress. By setting and reaching short term goals you will be able to motivate your student. It's also a good idea to provide some sort of reward for the child when he or she reaches a goal. For example, if the child collects stickers then reward him or her with a new packet of them.
4. Use your time wisely . Many special needs students will not be able to sit through a long lesson or activity. Make sure that your lesson plans are concise and that you get straight to the point, as this will allow you to use your time most effectively.
5. Don't be afraid to repeat lessons. If you feel that your student did not quite grasp a lesson, repeat it. Try and incorporate as many senses into the lesson plan as possible, as this will get the student fully involved.
Most of all, remember to have patience. Your role in the education of these students is crucial, and they need to you inspire them to learn.
