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Special NeedsOne of the primary goals of inclusive programs is to create an atmosphere in which positive peer relationships can flourish.
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Topic 2 Page 16 |
Early childhood professionals in inclusive classrooms strive to provide individualized education to young children with special needs alongside their peers who do not have special needs. For all children to learn and develop successfully, it is important for educators to engage in extensive and meaningful collaboration with each other.
Physical activity may be experienced and expressed differently by children with developmental disabilities. For these children you may have to adapt your curriculum and environment, as well as your classroom activities to enable them to succeed. If you are working with children with special learning needs, think about how your existing practices are enabling them to succeed. Think about busy center work, transitions from one activity to another, lunch, naptime, potty time, free play time indoors and outdoors, as well as other school events. What are some things you are currently doing to support the physical development of all children in your care during the times mentioned above?
Some children in your care may have conditions that affect their motor development, including physical and cognitive disabilities, neurological and perceptual disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Children with individualized education programs (IEPs) have a specific plan to help them meet their personal goals and objectives. In general, these children will need changes or adaptations to the curriculum, classroom environment, and daily lesson plan activities. Children with physical and other developmental disabilities may need related services to ensure that they fully access their classroom and school curriculum, activities, environments, extracurricular activities, and school events.
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Children with physical disabilities may have difficulties with motor coordination and muscle strength. While some children may be able to engage in play and self-help activities with minimal or no help at all, other children may need significant support and may require the use of assistive technology. This could include equipment, such as wheelchairs or braces, or communication devices that enable them to explore their surroundings and interact with others.
Children with physical disabilities may also have visual, hearing, or intellectual impairments that require the use of significant supports and accommodations when it comes to daily classroom activities. You may be working with children who have low muscle tone (leading to poor balance) and you will have to support their access and participation in motor activities.
Early childhood professionals must maintain an openness to learning about each child’s culture, key relationships, and life outside the classroom. To create a more inclusive environment and support all learners, you must assume an inclusive attitude. You are responsible for modifying physical activities for special needs students so they can participate with other children.
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Physical activity is important for all children, including those children with special needs. Even in a classroom with children who do not use wheelchairs, those who do have wheelchairs can still participate in modified activities.
Warm-Ups
Ball-tossing activities work the upper body and hand-eye coordination, and they are great activities for kids that also work on social and team-building skills. Many children in wheelchairs need to work on their upper body strength; another great idea is to put poly spots on the ground and ask children to hop or run to each spot, and children in wheelchairs can push their chairs to each spot. Weightlifting exercises can also improve the upper body muscle coordination and strength.
Ball-tossing activities work the upper body and hand-eye coordination, and they are great activities for kids that also work on social and team-building skills. Many children in wheelchairs need to work on their upper body strength; another great idea is to put poly spots on the ground and ask children to hop or run to each spot, and children in wheelchairs can push their chairs to each spot. Weightlifting exercises can also improve the upper body muscle coordination and strength.
Seated Dancing
Dancing can be an aerobic and social exercise. You can teach coordinated dance steps such as moving forward, backwards, and from side to side. You can also do “sitting down” dances that might also involve a lot of upper body movements. You can even try musical games such as musical chairs; place cards on the ground and move around to the music. When the music stops, kids must move the chair over a card; each round, take a card away just as you would take a chair away.
Dancing can be an aerobic and social exercise. You can teach coordinated dance steps such as moving forward, backwards, and from side to side. You can also do “sitting down” dances that might also involve a lot of upper body movements. You can even try musical games such as musical chairs; place cards on the ground and move around to the music. When the music stops, kids must move the chair over a card; each round, take a card away just as you would take a chair away.
Yoga
Yoga is a practice that balances the mind and body. Though yoga is generally thought to be a practice for adults, children can benefit significantly from it as well. With practice, children who have a hard time sitting still can learn to self-regulate and self-soothe using movement and breath to calm themselves. It helps to build self-awareness of the body and emotional state. Many yoga poses are named after animals, so it’s easy to incorporate story books with the poses and make the practice fun. Children can slither like snakes or roar like fierce lions, all while learning how to focus in a pose.
Yoga is a practice that balances the mind and body. Though yoga is generally thought to be a practice for adults, children can benefit significantly from it as well. With practice, children who have a hard time sitting still can learn to self-regulate and self-soothe using movement and breath to calm themselves. It helps to build self-awareness of the body and emotional state. Many yoga poses are named after animals, so it’s easy to incorporate story books with the poses and make the practice fun. Children can slither like snakes or roar like fierce lions, all while learning how to focus in a pose.
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(Unit 1) Topic 2: Healthy Practices - Physical Activity * Navigation Menu
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