How do we create a conducive classroom for all children? There are many ways you can do so to ensure a rich learning experience for the children to thrive in through the arrangement of the physical classroom and materials provided. Let’s go through them together!
Organised with clear boundaries:
A conducive physical classroom is one that is kept organised while setting boundaries for the children. Providing ample space in the classroom helps to ensure it does not get visually over-stimulating for the children. Another way we can do this is by having dividers in the classroom. Dividers are great to keep the children at their respective learning areas without having to constantly chase or keep your eyes on them, while also help to designate spaces in the classroom. Not only is it great for children, it also does wonders in helping manage children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in your classroom. Dividers help eliminate the noise in a classroom or disruptions happening on the other side of the room, while helping with the visual clutter of the classroom (Fullspedahead, 2022). As children with ASD are sensory hypersensitive, this would definitely help to limit behavioural meltdowns for them, while ensuring a better classroom experience for all.
Photo from: Fullspedahead (2022), A classroom with dividers.
Interactive boards as learning materials:
Want to make the most out of your classroom? Make use of interactive boards! Interactive boards are really great in promoting involvement in the classroom while promoting social emotional development in the children. Interactive boards are a great way of communication which is crucial for children in the classroom! These could be in the form of symbols, interactive whiteboards, picture cards or communication boards (PECS board or AAC boards). Putting up interactive mood boards or weather charts are also a great way to get the children to participate in the lessons. As some children, especially in an inclusive classroom, may not be able to verbally convey their wants and needs, through having these interactive boards, it caters to the various communications needs for all children. Children get frustrated when they are not being understood, especially for those who are unable to use their words when communicating. Pictures allows them to communicate their basic needs and wants in school while giving them a variety of choice to choose from so they are able to request what they want in class properly while limiting frustrations and promoting positive ways to communicate (Bridging Gap, n.d.) As most children with ASD are also visual learners, they are able to understand better through the use of pictures. Hence, interactive boards are a great way to enhance the physical classroom!
Image from: Bridging The Gap (N.d.), examples of interactive boards in the classroom.
Create a classroom that promotes Social Emotional Development in children:
Teachers can facilitate social interaction between pupils with SEN and their peers. Picture: kikovic/Adobe Stock
Having a classroom that’s rich in social interactions between peers and educators creates a strong and conducive classroom for children to learn and develop well in. Social-emotional competencies helps children to develop personal effectiveness and well-being, build positive relationships, live out their values, grow their character and improve children’s school performance (Ministry of Education Singapore, n.d.). One way we can promote social interactions is through the classroom layout. When putting the tables and chairs, place them together in circles to create groups. Provide materials that allows children to work and play together such as building blocks, puzzles and more. Setting up a dramatic corner in the class would also encourage positive social interactions between peers. As the children interact with one another, they are able to learn from one another through scaffolding, while enhancing problem-solving strategies. Children with ASD may find it difficult in making friends. Hence, by having a classroom that promotes social interactions will benefit the child as it allows them to gain self-confidence, self-esteem, enhance their language development and learn to be independent through problem solving (The Behaviour Exchange, 2014).
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