It can be hard to get children
to sit still in circle time or at a desk. Ideally, we can take the time to see
why a child may be having trouble. For those that are young, fidgety or distracted,
we need to know they are not doing it to bother us, and we need to have
strategies to help them be more attentive.
Remember, some children can sit
still longer than others. Other children need to fidget or move because their
nervous systems just are made that way.
Here are some ideas and
strategies for assisting restless kids:
1-Use a visual cue. For
example, if the teacher is reading Spot, the children can hold beanbags, and
every time the teacher says Spot’s name, the children have to toss the beanbag
into the bucket. This keeps him attentive!
2-Use carpet squares or bean
bag chairs. Space the kids out so they are not on top of each other!
3-Some kids can not sit
unsupported (and unless you are super strong in your core, you can’t, either!).
Make sure you identify these kids, and lean them against the wall, let them lie
down, or give them a chair with feet on the ground.!
4-Have the kids stand up, sit
down, get involved with the story, and listen for some name or place in the
story to stay attentive.
5-Use a checklist so that kids
follow and check off as things are said or done.
6-Use multi-sensory teaching
strategies. March around while doing multiplication tables, have the children
stand up while speaking, and develop fun routines during the day to that will
get the kids moving around.
7-Make sure kids have proper
chair and desk heights – loose legs will cause loose lips and distracted
brains!
8-Have the children chant back
at you when you use certain sayings. For instance, if the teacher says, “The
only one stopping you is…”, the class answers, “you!” They know that will come
up daily, so they are more attentive.
9-Be proactive, not reactive.
If a child seems to have attention issues, refer him for a neuropsychological
evaluation. Figure out why sooner rather than than later.
10-Use visual schedules and
timers so the kids know what to expect and know how to stay on task.
by Deborah Michael, MS,
OTR/L,
pediatric occupational
therapist
Source:
http://nspt4kids.com/
Posted by Kids Are Special in ADHD,
TEACHERS
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3 comments:
I understand how difficult it gets for special ed teachers to manage children with their variety of interests and learning abilities. On that note, IEP in special education is a massive teaching strategy that special schools employ and the results are there for all to see.
Great write up. Thanks for sharing such insightful views. As a mum, I too have adopted various methods of creatively getting my kids to behave and function quietly. But your methods sound pretty much interesting. Thanks for spreading knowledge. Will surely share this blog with my kid's school, Aaron School.
Wonderful advice. Thanks for sharing such innovative thoughts on such hard tasks. Kids are always bustling with energy, that's what my son's teacher at Aaron School says all the time. I think this article will be of great use to her.
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