Date
23 March 2024

Provide options to create, learn and share

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8’

Offer storytelling options

Offer storytelling options

Introduce students to a range of tools they can use to express their ideas and tell stories.

Offer multi-media tools, drawing, painting, drama and singing alongside writing.

Offer options for sharing learning

Offer options for sharing learning

Students with Down syndrome often enjoy drama and performance.

Grow their repetoire by introducing new approaches.

Use role play to practice language skills

Use role play to practice language skills

Provide opportunities to practise language used in daily activities such as shopping or travelling on the bus.

Support success in assessments

Support success in assessments

Discuss with students what support they need to demonstrate their understanding in tests and assessments.

Talk about:

  • possible barriers created by the physical environment: unfamiliar layout of a room, lighting, temperature
  • possible barriers created by the design of materials: cluttered presentation, hard-to-read diagrams, unclear layout, hard-copies only
  • ways to manage time allocations such as using visual timers
  • negotiating breaks and extra time
  • managing anxiety through mindfulness, positive self-talk, and identifying solutions to anticipated problems prior to the assessment
  • using digital technologies such as text-to-speech and predictive text or a reader-writer
  • pre-teaching specific test skills, such as how to approach multiple choice questions.

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

Best apps for children with Down syndrome

Links to a range of apps and other online resources.

Publisher: Brennan Innovators LLC

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Helpful classroom strategies years 1-8”:

Return to the guide “Down syndrome and learning”

Top