Being a teacher for what seems like forever, I have had the blessing of many special needs children in my classroom. Parents of special needs children are always fearful of how their child will fit into a classroom of general education students. In my experience, kids are very accepting and are often protective of those with challenges; however, here are a few tips to help you help your child.
- Teach age-appropriate manners: Of course this is relative to your child's special circumstances, but teaching words like "please," "thank you," and "excuse me" can go a very long way.
- Read books: Read books about accepting differences and encourage your child's teacher to do the same. Children learn a lot for simple stories and pictures. My favorite book is "The Crayon Box That Talked" by Shane Derolf. It teaches an important lesson while being very entertaining.
- Role Play: Think of situations your child may experience throughout the day, such as at recess. Role-play sample interactions such as asking for a ball, or taking turns.
It is important to remember that all children in a classroom a different, and no one is lesser to another. All parents should help their children understand social cues and norms, and those with special needs may take a little longer. But as the crayons put it "we are a box of crayons and each one is unique, but when we get together the picture is complete."
photo by Trav and Nan
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