How can families help their SEND children develop a positive view of learning?
When it comes to helping our children to not only engage in learning but to begin to love it, there are things parents and carers can offer at home to make that love of learning accessible - for young people who are home educated, attending school or college, or becoming a part of their community after full time education.
The Child Mind Institute, Kumon UK and Big Life Journal offer some very helpful guidance. At Beyond Creative Education, we work with families as well as with young people, to help learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to begin to love learning and find ways to belong in their learning community. Some useful pointers begin with creating a supportive and engaging home environment, fostering a growth mindset and modelling positive learning behaviours:
Show interest in the learning journey
Explain how you value education
Ask about interests and how they link with learning subjects
Be curious and ask open questions
Make activities practical
Link learning games to real-life
Create a learning space of their own
Collect resources in advance
Keep the environment quiet when needed
Read for pleasure around your child
Talk about topics you find interesting
Be curious about the world around your child
Be a supportive presence without judgement
Notice when your child tries hard
Offer a shoulder when things are tough - listen without telling
Celebrate mistakes and what new learning came from them
Recognise the little milestones
Dream big and explore possibilities
Give space to learn independently
Suggest your child steps up to the next level of challenge when ready
Play with questions and exploring all options, even when imagined
Try multiple methods for learning the same subject
Work on plans together
Plan and prepare in advance - no surprises.
BCE’s offer is not limited to the school day through our Alternative Education Provision - We also provide a wealth of support and life-skill development through our creativity and wellbeing workshops, one to one life-learner coaching and guidance for parents and carers in the evenings, weekends and holidays.
By participating in BCE’s enrichment activities, children and families will be able to access our pathways of support, delivered by qualified teachers, SEN specialists and transpersonal arts therapists at a time that suits them. Take a look at our upcoming events and offer to families to find out more - Do get in touch to talk about what would be the best way forward for you and your young person.
Our Saturday sessions are taking place regularly, where young people aged 11-16 can enjoy fun and expressive creativity workshops and at the same time, their parents and carers can spend the time with our SEN specialists to seek advice, understand issues and talk about their child’s needs. The next sessions are on 26th April, 24th May and 21st June.
To book your place visit our events page.
