Support for children with cognition and learning needs

Children with cognition (understanding) and learning difficulties will learn at a slower pace than their peers.  Often children with cognition and learning difficulties have working memory difficulties.  Therefore, it is important to break learning activities down into small chunks and provide lots of opportunities for repetition (what we at CPS call 'overlearning').  Also allowing your child to take regular movement breaks (standing up and shaking out their arms and legs, running on the spot for 60 seconds, touching their toes and reaching to the sky etc.) can help them to refocus back on their learning if they are struggling. 

Below are some ideas of ways you can support your child with their learning:   

• Flash cards are a great way to teach your child key words, but be careful not to overwhelm them. It is best to focus on four initially.  Once they can confidently identify and say all four words.  Remove one word and add in a new one.  Repeat this process, taking care not to rush substituting words.  It's better that your child feels really confident and secure with the words before they are removed.
• Phonics cards can be used in the same way as flash cards to support your child's sound recognition.