In a classroom of special needs children, teachers have to coordinate co-operative relationships and move towards setting educational goals that create the best academic, social and learning outcomes. It is not an easy job to build and sustain healthy relationships in a class with a diversity of students and special needs students with IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). Developing these relationships depends on several factors that create instructional and interpersonal opportunities for students and teachers. Teachers should begin with creating effective strategies to establish an advantageous student/teacher relationship using the following: .
* Teachers should understand the value of having a healthy relationship with special needs children. By developing a healthy relationship with the special needs children, teachers will get the best co-operation and learning engagement, making it easier for students to do their best work. A major focus should be on the relationship between the teachers and special needs children. This focus of engagement will help to develop a more supportive, co-operative, accepting, trusting and respectful relationship between the teacher and the learner.
* Every effort on the part of teachers to maintain a healthy relationship enables them to effectively achieve the educational goals for special children. The relationship between teachers and special children should be supportive and should focus on co-operation and effective instruction. In order to create a quality environment in the classroom of special children, teachers should construct academic outcomes using the students' IEP and other resources to maximize learning engagement.
* Teachers should be accessible and supportive of special needs children and should lend a helping hand, especially when students need redirection in academics and behavior. Teachers should be kind, engaging, tolerant and loyal in dealing with special needs children. Teachers should create and enforce ideal learning situations by effectively collaborating with students in the creation of lesson designs and projects that are interesting and fun for the best learning outcome.
* Teachers should enthusiastically work with special needs children to win their confidence, interest and engagement in achieving their educational goals. Teachers should try to control any aggressive behavior and give directions that help students avoid situations that would result in any peer-peer social disruptions.
* Teachers should provide moral support at all times and provide proactive advice in helping students deal with personal problems that may disrupt their learning process in the classroom.
There are many advantages in teachers developing effective strategies that build healthy learning environments for students with special needs. In order to create the maximum learning engagements for special needs students, teachers must develop connections that help students grow professionally and personally.
Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/20335.aspx#ixzz13bsbC6fo
