Catering To Students With Special Needs: Technology for Cognitive Development

This post is the start of a new series that features products to help students with special needs succeed in the classroom. Thankfully, there are many items that have been created to make it easier for these children to stay calm, focus on their work, and communicate with others. Today we will focus on products that encourage cognitive development. I will explain the item, how it should be introduced to the child in need as well as other children, and how the item should help the child in need function better in your classroom. I will also include the link to the item if you would like to purchase it for your classroom!

ABC Genius App:
(https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/abc-genius-preschool-games/id676147685?mt=8)

How it should be introduced to and used by the child in need:
If the child is not familiar with an iPad I would let them hold it and explain that it will help them learn. I would sit next to the child and play the game while the child watched, explaining my actions as I went along. The ABC genius app first has the player click on a letter to hear the sound it makes. Then, the player uses their finger to trace the letter. After that, the player is shown pictures of objects, and they must click the objects that start with the chosen letter. This game would best be played by the child with close adult supervision and guidance. The caregiver can name the objects on the screen and say the letter, and even hold the child’s hand to help them trace the letter.

How it should be introduced to other children:
This is a good technology to introduce to other children as well, as it can be played by any child. I would let the other children know that the child in need is using the iPad to learn, but the iPad could be used by anyone during a free play time, perhaps one or two children a day get a turn. That way, the children can get a taste of the iPad, and will let the child in need have their turn when they need it to learn.

Goals for the child’s use of technology:
Short term, I would like the app to keep the attention of the child in order for them to learn. A big part of cognitive development is problem solving skills, which is something I’d hope the app would help them develop over time. The ABC genius app allows the child to make choices and figure out what pictures start with the chosen letter. The child also gets to learn letter sounds, how to write letters, and new vocabulary words. This app is beneficial for children who are non-verbal, because they get to click pictures and hear sounds and express their knowledge even though they can’t use words.

How the child’s development will be assessed:
I would assess the child’s development by making notes of their progress when using the app. For example, I could assess their letter writing skills on the app and see if the app is helping them writer neater letters. I could also assess their ability to choose correct pictures. My hope would be that as their vocabulary improves, it would be easier for them to make correct choices, and make the choices quicker. I would also hope that the app would keep their attention long enough for them to learn.

Tangle Creations Therapy Toy:
(http://www.tangletherapy.com)

How it should be introduced to and used by the child in need:
The child in need can use the tangle toy for many reasons. One of the popular uses for the tangle toy is to give the child’s hands something to do while their mind is working. Children can also use it as a relaxation tool, and to improve finger and hand muscle strength. I would show to child how to tangle and untangle the toy and then give it to them to try.

How it should be introduced to other children:
Other children can use the tangle toy too, but I would let the other children know that the child in need is going to be using the tangle toy so they can learn better. The tangle toy could benefit every child, so I would leave a few out during free play time for children to explore.

Goals for the child’s use of technology:
Short term, I would hope that the tangle toy will help the child stay engaged in lessons long enough to learn and pick up the material. Over time, I would hope that the tangle toy can help children learn problem solving skills, in the sense that they can learn to know when use the tangle toy to help them pay attention, or calm down. If a child takes apart the tangle toy and puts it back together, that gives them a puzzle to solve, also boosting cognitive development.

How the child’s development will be assessed:
I would asses the child’s ability to focus in class when using the tangle toy versus not having anything in their hand. If the child is able to listen to directions, participate in lessons, and remain calm and relaxed, I would know that the tangle toy having a positive impact on the child. I could also asses their ability to take the toy apart and put it together, and note the speed at which they complete the puzzle, and also how long they pay attention to the tangle toy. An increased attention span shows an improvement in cognitive development, so that is something I would look for also.