Teaching Reading To Children With Down Syndrome

Marie Dunleavy

Children with Down syndrome have special needs that should be met if you expect them to develop certain skills like reading and learning. These children have plenty of potentials to read and learn. What you need to have are teaching and reading strategies that will work on them.

There are several strategies that can be used. However, if you want to bring out the best results, you need to find the best strategy tailored to the childrens specific needs. The childrens needs will determine if the strategies will work or not. This follows that before looking for a strategy, you need to identify the childrens need first.

Dealing With Learning Difficulties

Children with Down syndrome may experience any of these learning difficulties. Parents and teachers must understand these needs in order to help the children reach their full potential.

Attention Deficit

Children with Down syndrome have a very minimal attention span. Their focus is easily distracted by certain stimuli. This is true especially for lessons that are not so interesting for them. It is hard for them to concentrate on one thing, ie. the story they are reading.

Memory Deficit

Children with Down syndrome find it difficult to associate past knowledge with new knowledge. This is due to the fact that they may experience memory deficit. There are cases when they wont be able to recall what has just been read or learned.

Speech and Language Difficulty

Children with Down syndrome find it hard to express themselves verbally or even in writing. Because of their speech and language problem, they may also find it a challenge to mingle with others; thereby, putting their social skills at risk too.

Developing The Skills Among Children

Teachers and parents must use strategies to combat the problems and difficulties faced by these children. In terms of attention problem, they should use colourful, interesting and meaningful reading resources to arouse the interest and attract the attention of the students. Find reading resources that the children can relate to. Effective reading schemes should also be utilized. The childrens interest should be motivated at all times.

In planning activities, always consider the factors that will arouse the interest of the students. Activities that enhance memory, language and speech should be employed. This can be achieved through constant practice, recall activities and reading comprehension. At all times, parents and teachers should try to achieve a fulfilling experience for the children. Children with Down syndrome, just like any children, have plenty of potentials when you know how to bring it out. 

[POPS Resources] (link: http://www.pops-resources.com/)

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