Determine to what degree the person you are teaching is mentally challenged. If he suffers mild mental disability, he may be capable of achieving a longer list of goals. If his condition is more severe, then you may only be able to teach a few goals.
Make a list of the goals you want to teach, then make certain that the individual you are working with can realistically reach those goals. Having a plan in place for what you want to accomplish will aid you in being more organized and better prepared.
Remember the importance of patience. Persons who are mentally disabled learn at a slower pace and it takes a longer period of time for them to grasp the concept of what you are trying to teach them. Getting angry with them just because they don't move along at the speed you prefer will only produce discouragement and be counterproductive to what you want to achieve.
Concentrate on one goal at a time. For example, if your goal is to teach a mentally challenged person how to dress themselves or how to use utensils, focus on accomplishing that one thing, before moving on to something else. Assigning too many goals at the same time can cause frustration and confusion, resulting in the individual refusing to cooperate.
Be repetitive. You will have to go over the same instructions repeatedly with someone who is mentally challenged. By doing this, you can help to set a routine that aids them in remembering the tasks or goal you are teaching them.
Create the best environment for learning. When you want to encourage mentally challenged individuals to focus on what you are saying to them, make sure that you are not in a room, place or area that has distractions, such as television, loud music, loud noises and the like. While some mentally challenged people can deal with an environment that includes other people, some thrive better in a setting where they receive individual instruction.
Encourage family members and/or caregivers to reinforce what you have taught. Let them know the specific goal you have been working with a mentally challenged person on. Ask them to support what you have taught by continuing to have that person do the same skill or activity at home.
Create a rewards system. For example, if the mentally challenged person reaches a particular goal, give him a special certificate. This helps elevate his self-esteem by making him feel that he is being recognized for an accomplishment. You can find reward certificates in any store that sells teacher supplies.