Teaching Tips for Children with Down's Syndrome

Children with disabilities need special provisions in order to have a positive learning environment. It is possible for them to learn and be productive in school; they simply need to be in the correct environment and have access to the needed materials. Children with Down Syndrome are capable of learning. Teachers must obtain the proper teaching aides and gather teaching tips in order to achieve positive results.

Down Syndrome is a well known genetic disorder and it is caused by a chromosome abnormality that occurs before birth. Typically babies have 46 chromosomes, but those with Down’s Syndrome are born with 47 chromosomes, which causes abnormal changes in the development of the child’s body and brain. Children with Down’s Syndrome have very distinct characteristics. They are generally small, with a flat face and a tongue that sticks out. They do suffer from learning problems and most are classified as mildly or moderately disabled.

Many schools have classes that are for students with disabilities that could interfere with learning in a regular classroom. There are also special schools geared for people with disabilities. Children with Down’s Syndrome are capable of learning but not by the teaching methods that occur in traditional classrooms. There are a few teaching tips that work well for children with Down’s Syndrome.

A great set of teaching tips that should be employed when teaching children with Down’s Syndrome is the inclusion and relationship techniques. This simply means to make each student regardless of age or level of mental retardation, feel part of the group and comfortable with interacting with their other classmates. Encourage them to talk and interact positively with one another. Teaching them to feel comfortable in their environment help’s to boost their confidence.

Due to the facial differences that Down’s Syndrome people have it is important for them to feel attractive and proud of their appearance. Teaching them to feel good about themselves allows them to have a better attitude and feel special. Every girl wants to feel pretty and every boy wants to be handsome and people with Down’s Syndrome are no different. They want to live relatively normal lives.

Children with Down’s Syndrome generally suffer from an increased short attention span. They are easily distracted by the simplest things such as a light on the wall or a fly on the desk. In order to engage their learning capabilities it is important to break lesson plans into different pieces. They must be taught slowly and get frequent breaks in order to keep them focused. Be open to flexibility and change.

Children with Down’s Syndrome often have trouble talking clearly. It is important to practice talking clearly and coherently. Make sure to have them talk clearly and make sure to talk clearly to them. Pay attention to the word or phrases they have trouble conveying and encourage them to try and speak correctly.