If someone is to ask me what is the most selfless and satisfying profession, I’d without a blink say teaching.
As a teacher, you’ve the power to transform someone’s life. You can shape their thinking, their personality and attitudes. Mould their behaviour. Nurture their self-belief.
But despite this noble vision, today’s reality often feels far from it. Teachers are often reduced to mere work horses, facilitating transfer of information, not knowledge, from the textbooks to the students.
Teaching is a dynamic, creative craft, where teachers can use different ways of teaching their students. They can use innovative ways tailored to their receptive audience for conveying the knowledge.
What’s encouraging to see is how adaptive teaching methods are slowly being introduced into the mainstream.
It’s certainly making the learning environment more inclusive and supportive.
Children with learning disabilities are no longer feeling isolated or neglected; the parents no longer have to figure out ways to deal with that by themselves.
It’s setting a tone for a positive, encouraging and informative discussion between all the stakeholders.
Adaptive Teaching Methods
Teaching is evolving. Its moved from the blackboard and notebooks to something more engaging and interactive.
They’re open to experimenting with different mediums all with the objective to teaching the children.
One of the myths is that learning disabilities means low intelligence. That’s far from the truth.
These kids are often blessed with intelligence of a different kind. And hence need to be taught in a different way.
It’s working out favourable to those with learning difficulties because it allows them to learn in different formats other than the conventional ones.
1. Multisensory Learning
Learning is no longer restricted to textbooks.
It now uses visual, auditory or kinaesthetic activities which allows the use of multiple senses, like sight or touch. This enables student to decide how they want to learn.
Interactive reading, hands-on activities and experiments, educational games, to name of few methods.
2. Technology Integration
A big help from the rapidly developing technology is the development of assisted technology tools and apps which are designed for students with learning disabilities.
The online learning platforms, educational apps, text to speech software, each of them make learning a more engaging and less stressful experience.
3. Flexible Curriculum Design
No one-size-fits-all curriculum.
The flexible curriculum design ensures that IEPs, or the individualised education plans, meet specific needs.
The customised curriculum incorporates the interests of the students. This by itself makes learning enjoyable and relevant for them.
Students with learning disabilities is no longer feel out of place or incapable in the classroom.
4. Small Group and One-on-One Instruction
The class size is usually restricted to just a few or a small group. Sometimes it’s one-to-one instructions.
This allows better flow and interaction, at a pace suitable to the student. It also ensures personalised attention.
The students feel more confident in such settings.
5. Positive Reinforcement and Encouragement
No longer inhibited by the rest of the class or feeling overwhelmed by the conventional teaching process, they readily engage and learn faster.
Using praise or rewards can help motivate them further.
Celebrating small achievements or big milestones lets them enjoy their progress.
Supporting Children With Learning Disabilities
Teachers can’t do it alone; parental support is essential for maintaining consistent growth. It’s a teamwork where parents and educators need to work in tandem.
– Collaboration and Communication
Keep communication open and regular. Updates and feedbacks on progress keeps the process on track.
It’s a collaborative work with teachers, specialists, parents and child all working towards the same goal.
– Creating a Supportive Learning Environment
This will ensure a distraction free and organised study space. The child will feel more involved with a consistent study routine.
Use visual schedules, colour-coded folders or noise-cancelling headphones if it helps.
Keep the space decluttered and well-lit to remove distractions and build focus.
– Patience and Understanding
Children with learning disabilities are fighting in the dark with one hand tied behind.
Be supportive, encouraging and patient. They’re giving it their all.
Be there for them. Reassure them and provide them the much needed emotional support.
Replace saying “Try harder” with “Let’s try a new way.”
Conclusion
Each child has their own set of unique talents and strengths. Not every child can become Einstein or Wordsworth but they can be nurtured into becoming their best self.
It’s for the better if each is cherished as an individual, along with their own strengths and shortcomings.
A child with learning disabilities has to battle more than just academic challenges. They wrestle with societal prejudices, the feeling that they’re inadequate or have let you down in some ways. A heavy burden for such young shoulders.
By being there, using customised teaching methods, building on their talents and their confidence, parents can ensure that their child grows feeling equal to the others.
Embracing adaptive teaching methods is a proactive and supportive process which will benefit both the child and the parents.
Go for it if you need it. Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed. You’ll discover strengths your child has which the others don’t.
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