4 Creative Ways to Engage With SEN Learners in the Classroom

Helping pupils with Special Education Needs (SEN) requires rules, repetition and structure. But creativity is still key in the classroom, no matter the subject.

Teaching Learners with Additional Needs (TLAN) is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do within education. With inclusivity being high up on the global agenda, there has never been a more important time to upskill in this area.

Young people with SEN can now be funded to stay in education up to the age of 25, meaning that strategies have to adapt to include every age range.

Our PGCE (M) 14+ TLAN course will prepare you for a variety of classroom settings, providing you with a platform for a variety of roles. We help you build creative solutions to common problems in TLAN teaching, furthering your pedagogy skills and giving you the tools to think on your feet.

This includes having a creative approach to lesson plans and pupil interactions. Here are just some unique and innovative ways to engage with your class as a SEN teacher.  

1. Use music to improve memory

A lot of SEN learners struggle with both their working memory and long term memory, and this can lead to difficulties in learning.

In the classroom, this may translate as them not being able to follow instructions, not being able to do quick mental maths, not having good problem-solving skills or lacking in topic knowledge.

To aid the learning process, songs can be a great way to make learning fun. Furthermore, rhythm and melody help SEN learners understand keywords.