Top 4 Tips for Teaching Number to Children with Special Needs

Top 4 Tips for Teaching Number to Children with Special Needs.

As we discussed Important tips to Teach Functional Arithmetic for Children With Special Needs in the previous post. In this post, we will learn the next level of functional arithmetic, Important tips, and strategies to "Teaching Number Concept". As Piaget said that developmental theory is helpful to understand the mathematical performance of learner. According to this theory, it is important to understand the level of basic concepts of the learner. He/She must be aware of these basic fundamentals to learn numbers. These are top 4 Tips for Teaching Number to Children with Special Needs.

1. Classification
2. Ordering
3. One to One Correspondence
4. Conservation and Reversibility

Ready? Let’s get started.

If you don’t like the video or need more instructions, then worry not and continue reading.

1. Classification

Classification is a process in which objects are separated on the basis of their character and variety. It is compulsory to learn the number concept. He/she should be able to make a group of objects according to its characteristics and variety. Special needs may take time but we can teach them classification by following these steps.

Tips

1. Sorting the concrete objects on bases of their colour, shape and size. Give more and more exposure to achieve the goal.
2. Objects of limited characteristics are good to use. Such as Spoon, Ball, Apple, Banana, Onion, and Chili.
3. Introduce the picture of objects when the learner has achieved the classification.

2. Ordering

Ordering means to arrange the objects in a sequence according to size and number. It is major part to understand numbers for student with special needs. It has 2 Parts

1. Ordering by size
2. Ordering by number

2.1 Ordering by size

As the clearly written in the name "Ordering by size" means to arrange the objects according to their size. like smaller to bigger or bigger to small.

Tips

1. We can make this type of material at home by using same appearing but different in sizes. Like same boxes with different sizes, Bottle with different size, Pencils. Same looking is not a condition but in the beginning we should start with same looking objects
2. To make it more effective and attractive for learner, you can buy these type of toys online from any shopping site. We are giving links of some objects if you are interested then you can go through link.
3. Encourage the learner to play these types of equipment. When they become a master in that then introduce pictures.

2.2 Ordering by number

When learner become master in the above skills then introduce the ordering by number. Don't make it difficult in the beginning. Make him/her learn less and more step by step. In the beginning present 2 sets of same objects and make learn by showing less or more in the sets. There should be big difference between number of objects in the sets. So that easy to recognize for learner. When learner become able to recognize less or more objects in sets. Then increase the number of sets step by step then multiple objects. Increase the number of teaching aid after that introduce with pictures.

Tips

1. If it is tough to recognize for learner, You can ask him/her to draw lines according to objects in sets or if it is in liquid form then ask him/her to compare all respectively.
2. Use those materials which are attractive and learner like them most.
3. Montessori material is great to make learn a special needs. Play way method is great to teach. For example using a toy JCB or toy container to pick up soil and ask him/her "who will pick more?" in competitive way.
4. You can use "weighing scale" to make it more easy. Finally use picture and ask less & more.

• Ordering by number

 

3. One to one correspondence

One to one correspondence is a important skill you can say it is a base for counting concept.
"Correspondence is vital subsequent for teaching and learning of addition and subtraction" (Smith 1974).

Definition

In Simple words "Despite the inequality in the characteristics of the group, the ability to connect one unit of one set with one unit of another set is called one to one correspondence".

• One to One correspondence

Tips

1. To make learn this concept first give three dimensional objects. There should be equal quantity of every objects in sets then ask the learner to match the object from one set to another set. Then from another with object. Increase the number of object, shape, size and colour in the sets gradually.
2. You can use objects which commonly uses at home like: Plate, Spoon, Bowl etc.
3. Give exposure again and again with changes in groups.
4. Again we will recommend toys if possible for you because it is very effective to make learn student with special needs.

4. Conservation & Reversibility

Conservation

Conservation is a logical thinking ability that allows a person to determine that certain quantity/ Value remains same when changes arrangement of container, shape, or apparent size. This is called conservation. It is Pre- requisite for Place Value, Grouping and measurement and problem solving. To know more about Conservation Psychology click here 

Reversibility

To identify that when changes object's position or arrangement, it remains same that call reversibility. It is pre-requisite to understand and using Arithmetic operations, like Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division.

Eg. Commonly children decide 3+4 and 4+3 remains same when playing marbles. no matter is vertical or horizontal.

Eg. If there is 250 gm water in a big bottle if we pour it in a small bottle. there will be no change in 250 gm.

Tips

1. We can use water or block to teach Conservation and Reversibility.
2. It should be clearly visible when changing position of object from one set to another set.
3. It is important to give live example and give practice repetitively.