Why Learning Communication is Good for Students with Learning Needs

One valuable part of my job is helping students with learning needs. I help them to develop their communication skills.

This is a valuable part of learning that many students need support with – however, in the classroom, it can be bypassed when specific literacy and numeracy skills are prioritised.

But where does this leave the students who need to learn to communicate? Read on to find out.

Let’s start with...

This student and I worked on short stories that he practices delivering in unique ways for the audience. His pronunciation and technique allowed him to feel confident and creative. He loved exploring different genres and writing challenges once he knew he was capable.

Why Communication is Important

Communication floods through a variety of different subjects and is so useful to learn. I would say they go hand in hand with all subjects that are taught in school. I would also boldly say that communication is useful outside of the classroom as well.

Here’s why…

Imagine living one day without the ability to communicate.

Just stop for a moment and think about how your day has been planned out. How many people do you talk to? Do you start your day saying “morning” to your children, pets or partner? At the end of the day, do you ask them about their day? Do you call in sick when you are on your death bed? Do you vent to your bestie about something that’s driven you nuts or let them know you love that photo of their baking they’ve mastered?

Imagine if you couldn’t.

How about reading.

How many things do you think you read in a day? Do you text anyone? Answer emails? Read the branding on that sticker attached to the corner of your fridge randomly or street signs as you drive past them? Do you look at food packaging and check specials in the supermarket? This is all reading.

Imagine if you couldn’t.

What about your independence.

How many tasks do you undergo on your own each day? Putting bread in a toaster, unscrewing the lid on a milk bottle, choosing what you wear, choosing what to watch when the kids are all in bed, and making the choice to eat lunch when your tummy is rumbling.

Imagine if you couldn’t.

See why communication is important?

There are wonderful and clever kids out there that are bursting to share these experiences, and try their best to achieve this, but just need a little more support with showing how.

What Do Attempts at Communication Look Like for Students with Learning Needs?

- Outbursts of frustration

- Disconnection or dissociation

- Avoidance or procrastination

Does this sound like your child? Maybe you should consider booking in communication tutorials with me so I can support their learning needs.

This student and I developed a script together so he could showcase his abilities as a writer. When students with learning needs explore areas they enjoy, they feel pride and feel capable of doing things on their own.

What I Do is Meaningful

It is my job to show students how to communicate successfully. This to me is incredibly meaningful. I do love teaching school subjects, such as how to act, dance, read and write. But there is one facet that really makes me feel deeply fulfilled and that is communication.

This is because what comes from effective communication is a wonderful balance of confidence and independence.

Seeing a child learn to do things on their own is special. It opens up new ideas and possibilities. Suddenly they realise they are capable and this makes them excited – excited about living and being the person who they are.

Teaching a child to communicate is like teaching them a superpower. They unlock a part of them they never realised was possible!

Seeing a child learn to do things on their own is special. It opens up new ideas and possibilities. Suddenly they realise they are capable and this makes them excited – excited about living and being the person who they are.

So how do I do this?

To ensure I produce effective and meaningful lessons, I focus on speaking, reading and writing. I then take my extensive knowledge of performance skills, everyday communication skills, and literacy skills and blend them together to develop a personalised programme for each child. This is something I don't say lightly either. I make sure I build a programme suitable for every individual, so no programme is the same.

Allow me to elaborate...

I see where they are at and build goals that work for them. The types of goals would depend on their capabilities, learning needs, and confidence levels. We would work on anything from casual greetings to asking and answering questions, to following instructions and working on a project.

Is there a project to work towards?

Yes. To ensure there is an end result per term, we work towards an item to add to my usual termly Drama Club showcases that occur at the end of each term. This is an evening performance that includes various projects developed with communication students and Drama Club classes. We all come together to celebrate our success and perform for the ones we love. I try to provide a chance for these students to share something rewarding with their loved ones. This is so they feel the accomplishment they rightfully deserve. They may just show a picture they’ve drawn, read a poem or story they’ve written, or even perform a rehearsed reading, act or improv they’ve developed with me. It depends on their capabilities and learning needs. I also like to consider their own feelings of the matter and will always go at the pace they feel most comfortable with. This performance opportunity gives the student the chance to have pride and celebrate what they have accomplished. It is a memorable event that parents thoroughly enjoy.

How Do Students Feel and Act After Experiencing my Communication Classes?

My newly found communication superstars go from non-responsive, avoidant, and/or aggressive people to confident, calm, and/or well-mannered communicators. They feel a sense of peace, pride and accomplishment because they are able to communicate their needs and do things independently. They believe in themselves and feel excited about their learning and what they are now able to do in their lives.

I said it before and I will say it again; teaching communication allows students to experience a wonderful balance of confidence and independence. It is so meaningful and rewarding to help those with learning needs learn to be confident and independent people.

Seeing a child learn to do things on their own is special. I cannot reinforce this enough; it opens up new ideas and possibilities. Suddenly they realise they are capable and this makes them excited – excited about living and being the person who they are.

If you know anyone who would benefit from communication tutorials, let them know I am here. I make meaningful and personalised tutorials that make a difference and change lives.

Sign up anytime:

info@tovahstutoring.co.nz

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