Today we have an article from a guest blogger: Felicity Dyer. She tackles the topic of how parents with kids who have special needs can approach learning outside the classroom.
By Felicity Dyer
Specialized, inclusive or other classroom education for children with special needs offers great strides in their mental, physical and social development. However, education supplementary to such schooling can also play just as important a role in a child’s development.
In the Home
The amount of work involved in raising a special needs child varies. Yet, making time to hone in on specific skills you can implement at home could be essential.
It is one part of the many tasks that just may allow your child to acclimate into an educational program more smoothly. Raising self-esteem, dealing with adversity and role playing how to adapt to a new (or daily) environment are a few of the important categories you can teach your special needs child before they step out the door.
Additionally, consider utilizing technology not available in your student’s classroom. Certain kinds of assistive technology can not only aid your child, but give them a confidence boost.
Parent = Cheerleader
We all know it’s hard for both child and parent to rise above the daily challenges of special needs living. However, contributing to raising your child’s confidence level is like giving them a booster pack to fight the good fight.
Some ways to incorporate confidence building skills include:
● Pull Back on the Reins - Over focus/celebration of your child’s progress can stunt their independence, sometimes even making your job harder. Find a fine line between complimenting and expectation.
● Gently Push - Don’t wait for their school to begin, get them involved in socially interactive programs with other children of varying skill/symptom sets even if they refuse at first. Whether a camp, art, sport or music activity these ‘outside the classroom’ choices could raise your child to a whole new level.
● Set Their Sights - Why can’t your child exceed on any level they want? It could be the Special Olympics, contests or creating their own work and displaying it that puts a smile on their face and some fire in their heart.
Hands-On
Outside the classroom learning is exciting for kids of all ages and capabilities. It is a way to get them in “the thick of it” so future referral, for something like text teaching, is easily recalled.
Things like gardening, hiking (yes, there are terrain-friendly wheelchairs that can handle novice paths), cooking, swimming, radio controlled model car/airplane operation, farm work (don’t laugh, it can be done), and even volunteering offer priceless opportunities for your child.
Family Field Trips
Leaving the home for some families with a special needs child can be a laborious production. However, like all the unsung hero efforts these families sacrifice for their afflicted love one, taking a family field trip could be another majorly important step in their development.
• Museums - Finding a museum that is the right fit for your child will make all the difference for their outside the classroom stimulation. It may be purely visual or, if possible, a combination when an ‘audio tour’ is provided.
• Live Concerts - There is nothing like the pulsing energy of a live concert to teach the importance of music. Your child will receive stimulation on many levels when exposed to a variety of musical genres bound to have them bouncing, tapping, swaying or calmly listening with joy.
• Theatre, Circus, Rodeo, Dinosaurs and More - In addition to live music there are live performances as well. These offer another opportunity for your child to not only enjoy a unique experience but to also witness the wonders of so many entertainment teaching lessons.
• A Broadway (or the like) musical, comedy or even dramatic performance, various dance troupes, the wonders of the circus or rodeo and even a walking dinosaur show that may roll into town all hold learning gems for your child.
Raising a well-rounded special needs child is another gift you can offer them while forging through their physical and/or mental challenges. A home education in addition to classroom learning has the potential to give them confidence and a powerful, supplementary learning environment.
Watch the joy of your child’s outside the classroom learning experience progress in leaps and bounds, as will your heart.
About Felicity Dyer
Originally born in Flagstaff, Arizona, Felicity Dryer was raised by her parents (more or less modern-day hippies) to always make her health a top priority. Throughout her life, she has focused on encouraging others to reach for and achieve their personal goals. Now she lives in sunny Los Angeles, where she is pursuing her career as a freelance health writer, and continuing to help those seeking encouragement to keep moving forward to achieve their goals.
