5 activities for children with learning disabilities (2024)

Dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and dyscalculia are some common learning disabilities many children face. These children are not less intelligent but simply need a distinct way of learning. What if you could provide that?

5 activities for children with learning disabilities (1)

These kids with learning disabilities have difficulty picking things up majorly because their brain works differently.

India Today Web Desk

New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 30, 2018 11:37 IST

Dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and dyscalculia are some common learning disabilities that make life tough for kids at school. They have difficulty picking things up majorly because their brain works differently.

However, parents often misinterpret this phenomenon.

Having a child with a learning disability does not make it any less intelligent from the other kids around their age. It simply means that they are eager to learn, however, need a distinct way of learning.

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Fast-paced innovation in technology has made it extremely easy for parents today to indulge in activities that can help their kids overcome such disabilities at an early age.

Depending on the child and its needs they can formulate tactics that will help their child understand better and learn faster.

There are umpteen extracurricular and out-of-school activities that can help children with learning disabilities succeed beyond the regular learning environment.

Here are a few simple solutions that parents can keep in mind when trying to work with kids who learn differently.

1. Theatre/drama

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While reading scripts, they are able to improve their reading fluency, vocabulary and reading accuracy, without finding it to be a burden.

Not being able to perform as per others can sometimes lead to frustration amongst kids. A kid with a learning disability needs a confidence-boost which makes them feel they are no less. Theatre and drama are one such activity that can help kids with dyslexia a lot.

While reading scripts, they are able to improve their reading fluency, vocabulary and reading accuracy, without finding it to be a burden. It is a creative outlet that lets them express their feelings in a much better way.

It is also a fun environment to teach them interactive and social skills.

2. Learn by doing

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Kids playing Twister (source: YouTube)

Some kids are more hyperactive and impulsive than others. The usual chalk and board methods don’t seem to sustain their attention for long, owing to which they lag behind in class.

Many people think this problem is incurable but there are solutions available that could stimulate the sensory system, improve learning by activating the gross motor function and also help break the ice by developing collaboration and teamwork amongst the children.

One such example Step and Learn (Wizefloor). This is a supplement to classroom teaching that promotes collective and differentiated learning styles and needs through play and physical activity. From a projector in the ceiling, different learning-games are projected onto the floor.

The children use their hands and feet to interact with the floor allowing them to solve the games. Young children diagnosed with ADHD will find this activity a lot of fun as it retains their attention and focus longer than other things.

3. Interactive learning

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Programmes that work by teaching children through fun and animated stories are very effective.

A child can take multiple paths to learn. You just need to find the right way. Children with autism curtail themselves from communicating and interacting.

This doesn't mean they don’t want to learn. It’s just they don’t want to engage themselves with others so often for it. But like any other problem, there is a solution to this as well.

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Parents, schools, and libraries around the world trust a simple and effective program Muzzy by BBC. Designed for children of all ages; this programme works by teaching children through fun and animated stories featuring Muzzy and friends.

These stories use the natural immersion method, which is modeled after the way children learn their rst language.

It is extremely helpful for autistic children as it clears their concepts by the use of repetition and spiraling which makes learning come naturally and without any social obligation.

4. Personalised learning

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Children with learning disabilities like dysgraphia or dyscalculia need a personalized learning solution that tells them about their individual IQ, learning style, learning gaps, and proficiency.

Every child is unique and so are their learning needs. This is why parents need to create a personalized learning path for their kid, which will enable them to know about their kids grasping power through a step by step analysis.

Children with learning disabilities like dysgraphia or dyscalculia need a personalized learning solution that tells them about their individual IQ, learning style, learning gaps, and proficiency.

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Artificial intelligence and adaptive learning are actually helping many overcome this bridge in more ways than one.

5. Voluntary work:

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The more exposed kids are to the world in terms of communication, the better they understand what’s happening around them and so more enhanced is their self-esteem.

Voluntary work is an exceptionally interesting way of helping children overcome their learning disabilities.

The more exposed they are to the world in terms of communication, the better they understand what’s happening around them and so more enhanced is their self-esteem.

Every child has its inherent potential, strengths, and weaknesses; it just needs to be dealt with properly. Since teachers struggle with lack of time and a good chunk of kids to deal with, they can only teach at one level to the entire class.

Therefore, don’t let your child lag behind. Even though at times parents are faced with numerous hurdles when it comes to finding solutions for various learning problem, nonetheless, it is not an obstacle to your kid having a successful future.

Every problem has a viable solution!

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Read: Sky's the limit: Career options for those with learning disabilities

Read: 9 types of mental disorders among children: Symptoms and warning signs

Read: Game-based learning benefits: The new education process that can change everything

Published By:

Roshni

Published On:

Oct 30, 2018

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5 activities for children with learning disabilities (2024)

FAQs

What activities are good for learners with learning difficulties? ›

Going to music, dance, art or drama classes can also help teach a person with learning disabilities how to interact with others and how to follow instructions. Communicating with others can sometimes be difficult for someone with a learning disability, and can lead to frustration.

What are the top 5 learning disabilities? ›

The top five most common learning disabilities are dyslexia, ADHD, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia.

What can I do to help my child with learning disabilities? ›

4 ways parents can help children who learn and think differently
  1. Focus on strengths. ...
  2. Develop social and emotional skills. ...
  3. Use resources & support groups to help you learn more about parenting a child with learning difficulties. ...
  4. Plan for the future.
Oct 4, 2021

What activities are good for children with severe intellectual disability? ›

Table 1.
DomainCategoryResponses
Mentally-Stimulating ActivitiesPuzzlesany response related to puzzles
School/Day Programsschool, buddy program at school, coming to her day program, UPMC vocational training center
Sensory Activitieslikes tactile simulation, sensory activities, stimulation, taking a bath
36 more rows
Feb 13, 2021

How to engage students with learning disabilities in the classroom? ›

Here are some tips to engage students with learning difficulties in the classroom.
  1. 1 Know your students. ...
  2. 2 Differentiate your instruction. ...
  3. 3 Use multimodal and multisensory approaches. ...
  4. 4 Incorporate cooperative learning and peer support. ...
  5. 5 Foster self-regulation and metacognition. ...
  6. 6 Make learning fun and meaningful.
Jun 28, 2023

What is the number 1 learning disability? ›

Reading disability (dyslexia) - is the most common LD, representing at least 80% of all LDs, and results from deficits in phonologic processing.

How to treat learning disabilities? ›

Interventions for Specific Learning Disabilities
  1. Intensive teaching techniques. These can include specific, step-by-step, and very methodical approaches to teaching reading with the goal of improving both spoken language and written language skills. ...
  2. Classroom modifications. ...
  3. Use of technology.
Sep 11, 2018

What are the 7 specific learning disabilities? ›

The Learning Disabilities Association of America and many other mental health practitioners regard the seven disorders as specific learning disabilities i.e. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, auditory processing disorder, language processing disorder, nonverbal learning disabilities and visual perceptual disabilities.

How to teach a child with intellectual disability? ›

It can be helpful to give clear and specific instructions about the task or behaviour expected, and how much time they have to work in. Visual instructions about a task or behaviour may help support some students. Consider demonstrating the task or behaviour, or asking another student to demonstrate.

How to help a child with moderate learning difficulties? ›

Use differentiated worksheets, word banks, writing frames and ICT software. Allow extra time to complete tasks and tests. Improve self-esteem by building on pupils' strengths and interests. Break down new tasks into bitesize chunks with plenty of opportunities for reinforcement.

Is ADHD a learning disability? ›

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not a learning disability; however, it does make learning difficult. For example, it is hard to learn when you struggle to focus on what your teacher is saying or when you can't seem to be able to sit down and pay attention to a book. You can have both.

What should a teacher do when a student has a learning disability? ›

Allow scheduled breaks during lectures, tests and exams. Allow for the use of adaptive technology. Point out the important sections in course plans, textbooks and readings to guide test and exam preparation; when possible, provide samples of tests and exams. Provide personal feedback on academic performance.

What are the five methods of teaching? ›

Teaching Methods
Teaching ApproachTeaching Method
Teacher-CenteredJust-in-Time Teaching
Student-CenteredInteractive Lecture
Experiential Learning
Case-based Learning
9 more rows

What causes learning disabilities? ›

No one really knows what causes a learning disability. Often, learning problems can run in families (genetic), but environmental factors can play a role too. Mostly, learning disabilities occur because there is an enormous range of variation that occurs normally in people's cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

What kind of everyday activities skills might a person with learning disability experience difficulties with? ›

A person with a learning disability might experience problems carrying out activities of daily living. Perhaps they have difficulty remembering important tasks they need to do each day such as brushing their teeth, keeping themselves clean, attending appointments or paying their bills.

What are learning activities that are developmentally appropriate? ›

What DAP Looks Like
  • move around rather than wait;
  • speak rather than listen passively;
  • use their creativity to create their own books and art;
  • follow a schedule based on their needs;
  • attempt to solve their own problems;
  • explore their own interests;
  • have opportunities to make their own choices; and.

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