Tag Archives: teachers

child development, developmental psychology, Education, inclusion, mental health, psychology, special educational needs, teaching

Sometimes Teachers Just Need To Shut Up

May 21, 2014 learningneverstops Leave a comment

Teachers are not only there for the academic side of things. They also serve as counselors, peace-maker and sometimes, therapists. You know what I mean. Students at some point will have concerns and worries about their friends and families. These worries are often carried into the classroom and would sometimes translate to bad behaviour or social withdrawal.

When students misbehave, most teachers resort to shouting and/ or punishment. Often, this results in escalation of the situation and a vicious cycle of bad behaviour – teachers shouting – suspension. It does not help. Granted that bad behaviour is never acceptable and should not be tolerated, aggressive responses may not help in the long run.

On the other hand, the usual response by a teacher to a student who is upset or has opened up about their problems is to shower them with advice. While this is good in some cases, giving advice may not work for others.

For both situations, what I suggest is for the teacher to ask the students what their problems are or what’s bothering them. Even though bad behaviour is a regular occurrence for some pupils, try to remember that these behaviours could be the result of something deeper- a family problem or a problem with their friends, for instance. Try to keep an open mind.

Be quiet and listen to what they have to say. Keep in mind that some of them may not have people around them who would listen to them whole-heartedly. Some of them may just need to off-load.

Try not to pass judgement too quickly. Assess the situation and offer advice only when needed. Seek help from authorities and other agencies in appropriate situations.

Daily Post, developmental psychology, Education, motivation, philosophy, psychology

The Kindness of Strangers: My Teachers (Daily Prompt)

May 11, 2014 learningneverstops 3 Comments

when was the last time a stranger did something kind, selfless or generous to you? Tell us what happened?

Daily Prompt

At the start of each academic year, students and teachers are practically strangers to each other. Most students, particularly younger ones, are scared of their teachers. Teachers on the other hand are sometimes unsure of how to present themselves or treat their new group of students.

When I was a student, i did not know much about life. There was even a point in my life when I hated school with a passion. But my teachers did not give up on me. They saw my potential. They tried very hard to create meaningful relationships with me so that they could nurture me and teach me lessons beyond those that were required of them.

The were initially strangers. All they were required to do is to teach me enough ‘stuff’ so I can pass my exams.They did not have to know me through and through. They did not have to change my perspectives in life. They did not have to like me. They did not have to be kind to me. But they went out of their ways to change my life for the better.

I do not know how my life would have turned out if my teachers gave up on me. For that, I thank them!

In response to today’s Daily Prompt: The Kindness of Strangers

Click below for more Acts of Kindness:
Emilykarn
Angloswiss Chronicles
All things cute and beautiful
A squeeze of bliss
Kate Murray

child development, developmental psychology, Education, family, inclusion, motivation, philosophy, psychology, teaching

Leave students’ creativity alone!

December 15, 2013 learningneverstops Leave a comment

Never be like the woman on the picture.

Students’ creative thinking and imgination should never be stifled. Allow them to think for themselves. Let them form their own conclusions about the world based on their experiences. Remember to give them the freedom to express their opinions, however wild they may be.

Give them the chance to get things wrong. Let them disagree with what you believe and make them defend their claims. Guide them to discovering their own idea of truth.

ADHD, autism, autism awareness, bullying, child development, developmental psychology, documentary, Education, family, inclusion, mental health, psychology, special educational needs, teaching

Dr. Dan Olweus and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Programme

November 18, 2013 learningneverstops Leave a comment

This week is anti-bullying week in the UK and I want to share the things that I have read, watched and heard about how to fight against bullies. Also, I want to share how bullying affects everyone. In the video below, Dr. Dan Olweus explains what bullying is and why it is important to stop it.

In the next video, children explain their experiences with bullying and how the Olweus Programme helped their school stop bullying.

developmental psychology, Education, psychology, special educational needs, special needs, video

Bully Project: Emotional Documentary on the Effects of Bullying

April 23, 2013 learningneverstops Leave a comment

Most of us who have been to school or have worked with people have experience and/or witnessed bullying. It is an unpleasant experience. But still, after all the interventions (e.g. Olweus Programme), bullying is still present and it is still terrorizing kids, adults and families all over the world.

What can be done? How can bullying be reduced or eliminated? In my opinion, everyone- from students to patents to teachers up to the government, should actively educate each other on the negative effects of bullying. Since quite a lot of bullying cases stem from bullies’ ignorance of Special Needs and/ or people’s difference, they need to be made aware of this.

The documentary below shows just how devastating the effects of bullying are by featuring accounts of the major key stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, community members).

autism, autism awareness, developmental psychology, Education, family, psychology, special educational needs, special needs

Parents of individuals with Autism, I salute you!

March 10, 2013 learningneverstops 5 Comments

If there is one group of people that I respect more than any other, it’s the parents of individuals with Autism. Having worked with young people with ASD for almost a decade, I have witnessed their struggles and triumphs first hand. I have listened to their stories- both the good and the bad. I have seen them deal with the tantrums and stims in and out of the classroom, while others stare ignorantly and at times, angrily and them.

Almost all of the parents I have spoken to were angry, frustrated and relieved all at the same time upon knowing their children’s diagnosis for the first time. ‘Nobody deserves to have a child with Autism’, some would say. But they figure out a way to raise their children. They are the first ones to acknowledge that it is not their children’s fault that they have Autism. Instead of giving up, these parents have had to change their ways of parenting in order to accomodate their children’s needs. Heck, they have had to change their lives to accomodate their children. Routines, ways of speaking, the food in their houses, the places they go to, have to be planned in advance. These parents are the ones who have to explain to their other children, who does not have Autism, why their brother/sister needs more attention and patience.

As mentioned above, they, along with their children, have to deal with those ignorant people who give them angry, disgusted stares and unsolicited but wrong parenting advice when they are in public places. They have to deal with the persistantly tough but misinformed teachers, who insist that their children are naughty, unattentive and academically slow. These parents are the ones who would fight tooth-and-nail to get their kids to the right school, with the right support and appropriate equipments.

These parents are the ones who are worried about their children when they reach school-leaving age.

It comes to no surprise that every single young person that I have worked with have their parents at the top of their prioroty list. Regardless of their mental and social skills, all of the young people that I have worked with would run back to a burning building just to save their parents.

So whenever you speak to the parents of a child with Autism, always remember what they go through, day in, day out. When it comes to their kids, they are the experts. Listen to them. When planning and implementing interventions in schools, take their suggestions into consideration.

Follow these lovely parents on Twitter:

autism, autism awareness, child development, developmental psychology, Education, psychology, special educational needs, special needs

Getting off to a good start: Useful advice for teachers meeting students with ASD for the first time

February 19, 2013 learningneverstops 5 Comments

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects people’s Social and Communication development. In addition people with ASD exhibit Restricted and Repetitive Interests and Behaviours. Since ASD affects 1 in 88 of individuals, there is a big chance that every teacher would have at least one student affected by the condition in his/ her career.

Although people’s awareness of ASD have increased over the years, and teach training nowadays provide an overview of what Autism is, and how it affects individuals, meeting a student with ASD for the first time can be a cause of anxiety to teachers (and the students, of course!).

Here are a few strategies that I have learned over the course of my working years with ASD students:

Preparing the student before the first day:

There is a huge chance that you will know in advance that there will be a student (or students) with ASD who will be joining your class. Here’s what you could do:

Gather as much background information as possible! Information about students should be available from medical professionals, previous schools and parents. Find out what triggers anxiety and problem behaviours.
Questions you should ask: What does he like to talk about? What is he afraid of? Does he respond better to a man or a woman? How is his speech? Is there a colour, sound, smell he does not like?
Take pictures of the school, dining hall, your classroom, yourself and if possible, the other students. Give these photos to his parents or his current teachers and ask them to let the child know that this is the environment that they will be in very soon. This helps prepare the child mentally and will reduce, if not eliminate, anxiety.
Invite the parents and the child to the school ahead of transfer. If the children are moving up a year/ grade in the same school, invite them to your classroom. Have a one-to-one meeting with the child to allow them to familiarise with you and the classroom.
Let the children know EXPLICITLY what is expected of them. Give a paper copy of your classroom rules to the children and display a copy of it on your classroom.
If at all possible, provide the parents with the school year’s curriculum plan. This way, the parents would be able to tell their children what topic areas will be discussed at what week/ month.
Create a picture schedule/ timetable to help establish a daily routine. Students with ASD prefer a predictable day-to-day routine. A change in any subject or teacher or activity must be relayed to the child.
Prepare your classroom. Give the student his own desk and give him the freedom to decorate it to make him feel that he is in control of at least some aspect of his environment.

During the first meeting:

Avoid drinking coffee and wearing perfume. It may sound ridiculous to some but there are students with ASD who are extremely sensitive to certain smells. Drinking coffee and wearing perfume are some of the things that you can control which may potentially lessen the child’s anxiety.
If the child is capable of talking but is not responding to you initially, try to be in the same physical level. In other words, if he is sitting down, sit on a smaller chair, so that his eyes are parallel to yours. If he is playing on the floor, sit on the floor. Make him feel as comfortable as possible.
Let him talk about Spiderman or Star Wars at the beginning, if he wants to. People with ASD who are verbal have the tendency to talk a lot about their interests passionately. You must let them do this, again to make them feel comfortable.
10 Second Rule- some people with ASD need more time to process information, especially during conversations. Wait for at least 10 seconds before repeating an unanswered question.

There you have it! Good luck!

More articles on Autism:

AUTISTIC PEOPLE SHOULD…

Being Proud of Having Autism

What Would You Do If You Witness An Autistic Person Being Insulted?

Never EVER say these things to people iwth Autism!

He flaps his hands and screams a lot but he doesn’t mean to annoy you

Optimum Outcomes for people with Autism

DSM 5 and its implications to ASD diagnosis

Diagnosing Autism: What you need to know

Vote for Miss Montana 2012, Alexis Wineman

What does Autism mean?