Read stories and focus on teaching reading. Down Syndrome Educational International states that improving reading skills helps to improve speech skills in students with Down Syndrome. Read at least one book to your students every day in a group setting. You can teach sight words by using flash cards and repetition and phonics to help students sound out words.
Keep your lessons short. Students with Down Syndrome have a limited attention span, so you should keep each of your lessons short to avoid distraction. For example, you can spend about 15 minutes teaching a concept, then allow the children to play.
Play with children to help them learn. Help students with Down Syndrome to learn outside of a structured environment. For example, when playing with blocks, you can count the number of blocks in a tower or ask the student to hand you the red block.
Use a multisensory approach. You can foster learning in students with Down Syndrome by planning activities that incorporate all of the senses. Do some lessons that use listening skills and others where students can use their hands to create things.
Correct speech problems gently. The child will probably work with an outside speech therapist, but you can gently correct speech problems. Speak slowly and clearly and encourage this in the students.