Keep all rules and instructions simple in the special needs classroom. Many special needs students focus best when given one or two rules or instructions at a time. Determine the two most important rules for the classroom, write them on a poster and hang them on the wall. Regularly refer to those rules. If new rules need to be introduced, do it one rule at a time, after children have learned the initial rules, and give them plenty of time to practice new rule before introducing another one. Additionally, when providing instructions for an assignment or project, do it one step at a time. Giving special needs children multiple steps at once will often overwhelm them. Steps must also be repeated more than once for most children.
Technology helps improve teaching in a special needs classroom. Audio equipment helps with reading by giving special needs children something to follow along with while reading a book. Songs help reiterate important concepts. Interactive whiteboards and laptops allow teachers to provide more visuals to accompany lessons and information and provide a platform for children to play interactive games and complete other hands-on activities. Additionally, special computer software and equipment is available to help students with severe disabilities communicate.
Make all activities relevant to the lives of the children in your classroom. Read books and complete activities that help the children learn self-care skills and other life skills. For children with severe disabilities, practice skills such as tying a shoe, buttoning a shirt or washing their hands. For less severe disabilities, work on concepts such as shopping at a grocery store, ordering food at a restaurant or engaging in conversation at a party. Talking about these activities and conducting role-play activities will help special needs children feel more comfortable and confident when encountering these situations in their daily lives.
Hands-on activities help special needs children engage multiple senses while learning. hands-on activities give students an experience to connect with the information more so than listening to a teacher talk about a concept.. For math lessons, use a lot of games and manipulatives. Include experiments and artifacts for science. Act out stories or draw pictures for English, and use flashcards and games to help learn the basics of grammar.