Often times, teachers and parents feel this way because they have tried everything they know and nothing seems to be working. It could be a range of difficulties such as trying to get a child to understand basic mathematical concepts to getting a child to express themselves verbally.

Whatever the case may be, you have hit a block and you don’t know what else to do with the child. So how do we help a child learn or progress if we cannot get to their mind? How do we help children if we have not found a pathway to communicate with them?

Here are 3 quick tips that can help both parents and educators

1. Do not give up! These are four words that carry so much weight. As tempting as this may seem, please do not yield in. The moment you give up is the moment you stop trying and without trying you will never find a solution. The mind works in an amazing way and it is important that we feed it with positives especially regarding the outcome(s) we hope to achieve with these kids.
2. Look for unusual things- signs, patterns, and habits. People pay attention to things they find interesting or stimulating. Access to children can come in unusual forms and if parents and teachers are fixated on their idea of what access looks like, then they might miss the signs. Access could come in the weirdest forms- cars, clocks, art or even things as abstract as space! It is important to understand that learning can happen in other ways outside established learning patterns that we are all familiar with. You can find some engaging activities here.
3. Remember the theory of multiple intelligences where it was proposed by Gardner that children have up to seven independent intelligences namely: musical, logical, linguistic, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Simply put, within these seven areas lie many ways to get to a child’s mind in order to help them learn. How many ways have you explored and how many more can you explore?

Sometimes, all children will offer us is a window to their minds and we would have to expand that window to make a door. Regardless of what the child offers, there is always a way to a child’s mind and if you haven’t found it yet, then keep looking.

If you would like me to share more on point 2 above (or any other topic that is of great concern), simply reply/ drop a comment and let me know.

Until then, keep safe, keep winning and remember that you MATTER.

P.S For learning aids to support children with special needs, be sure to check out this link.