Teachers who support children with special needs use expert practices to help them learn and grow.
Here are 10 teaching practices you can use to make a difference in a special education classroom.
1. Helping Step-by-Step (Scaffolding)
Give a child just enough help to finish a task they can't do alone yet. As they get better, slowly step back.
Example: If a child is learning to put on a coat, you might start by holding the sleeves open. Later, you just help with the zipper. Finally, they do it all by themselves.
How You Help:
- Encourage Through Example
- Share Ideas
- Inspire Confidence
- Give Responsibility
2. Learning Through Play
You use games and fun activities to teach big lessons. This helps children learn how to solve problems and get along with others.
Example: Using a toy grocery store to help a child practice counting money or naming different fruits and vegetables.
How You Help:
- Support Child Led Thinking
- Train Skills
- Encourage Discovery
- Build Creative Muscles
3. Building Focus and Self-Control (Executive Function)
Help children learn to listen, remember rules, and manage their feelings. These skills help the brain grow.
Example: Playing a game like Simon Says. This teaches a child to listen closely, remember a rule, and wait for the right time to move.
How You Help:
- Set Clear Routines
- Practice Waiting
- Strengthen Memory
- Reward Focus
4. A Success Plan for Every Child (IEP)
Every child is unique. You’ll work with a team to create a specific plan that fits a student’s exact goals and needs.
Example: If a child finds it hard to sit still during a lesson, your plan might include using a fidget toy or taking a short brain break to help them stay on track.
How you Help:
- Identify Strengths
- Set Reachable Goals
- Work with Experts
- Update Progress
5. Helping at Home (IFSP)
For babies and toddlers, learning happens everywhere. You help parents turn daily moments, like mealtimes or baths, into chances to learn.
Example: You might show a parent how to help their toddler learn new words like "milk" or "all done" while the child is eating lunch.
How You Help:
- Coach the Family
- Use Daily Habits
- Support Early Steps
- Share Simple Tips
6. Collaborative Teamwork
You aren't on your own. You’ll work with other experts, like speech coaches or hand doctors, to help the child in every way possible.
Example: You might meet with a speech coach to learn the best way to help a student ask for a toy using signs or words.
How You Help:
- Consider Needs
- Create Ideas to Help
- Give and Take Advice
7. Focus on Strengths (Asset-Based Assessment)
Instead of looking at what a child can't do, you focus on what they can do. This builds their confidence and helps them learn faster.
Example: If a child loves to draw but struggles to speak, you might let them draw a picture to show you how they are feeling.
How you Help:
- Find What Works
- Build Confidence
- Track Small Wins
- Celebrate Growth
8. Design for Classrooms (UDL)
Not every child learns the same way. Plan your lessons so there are different ways for everyone to join in and succeed from the start.
Example: When telling a story, you might read the book out loud, show a video of the story, and let the kids act out the ending with puppets.
How you Help:
- Plan for Everyone
- Use Different Tools
- Remove Learning Barriers
- Offer Choices
9. Using Pictures (Visual Supports)
Pictures help children see what is happening next. This makes the school day feel safe, predictable, and easy to follow.
Example: You hang a picture schedule on the wall that shows a lunch box for lunch, a ball for recess, and a book for story time. This helps kids know what to do without needing a verbal reminder.
How you Help:
- Lead by Example
- Lower Anxiety
- Build Independence
- Guide Classroom Transitions
10. Giving a Child a Voice (FCT)
If a child cannot use words yet, they might feel frustrated. Teach them new ways to tell you what they need using signs, cards, or tools.
Example: You teach a child to hand you a picture card of a "snack" instead of crying when the child is hungry. This gives the child a reliable way to speak to you.
How you Help:
- Reduce Frustration
- Teach Signs
- Listen with Eyes
- Provide a Voice
Conclusion
Special education needs teachers who are prepared to help students of all abilities. Carry out these teaching practices in your classroom. These expert practices will help children with special needs succeed at home and school. Whether it’s teaching through play or using pictures, you are prepared to help each child.
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