I have several students, of various ages in my classroom, with focus issues or with an ADHD diagnosis.
When parents come for an interview, they often want to know how I can accommodate children with ADHD in my school.
Honestly, it isn’t difficult! My goal is to set up all my students for success, whatever that may be for them individually.
We do not sit still for very long, especially with so much out on the farm and in our orchard, forest, barnyard, and wetlands to discover, explore and learn about!
My personal philosophy (and the science show us), is that ALL kids should MOVE a lot through their school day. Kids should be free to explore, question, and learn in the natural world. The best and most meaningful learning happens this way. This is exactly what we do here on the farm. test content
These are just some of the effective strategies we teachers here at GFS use in order to set up all of our kiddos for success:
- We provide children with a clear deadline to complete their work, no matter the size of the task.
- I have found children with ADHD are often able to focus intensely on subjects and activities they are interested in or passionate about. We can incorporate any skills necessary to meet the learning standards into what moves a child, what speaks to them, and what keeps their focus.
- We allow kids choices in their learning. Who doesn’t want choices? (For example, their book choices, math strategies that work best for them personally, writing topics, where on the farm to eat lunch, etc).
Every morning, the older kids are able to plan their own daily schedules and set goals for themselves personally, along with teacher guidance.
This technique allows children over time, to learn about themselves as learners, time management skills, goal setting, perseverance, independence, responsibility, and organizational skills; the executive functioning skills that cause struggles for many children.
- Lots of breaks in between!
Through this process, we eventually see behaviors such as inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity reduce significantly.
By the way, this is what all kids need, no matter the label they have been given.