Methamphetamine Exposure and the effects on Learning

As more and more children are exposed to different stimulants that impact on learning I have been learning from Kathryn Sears and about the effects of exposure of Methamphetamine.

This slide show covers features of Methamphetamine Exposure from prenatal to school age children. How children social interactions can be affected along with physical characteristics and communication before explaining the implications for teaching and learning. Along with strategies to help students.

We can make a difference with positive parenting/teaching and early inventions. This is so true for many learning issues. So Kathryn is not trying to to make teaching harder by giving teachers another thing to do.

The implications for teachers is to ensure we are collaborative and have strong communication and understanding with the family and other agencies we need to help provide a suitable learning programme. This will also help with getting to know the child's background and understanding their family environment creating a foundation for home school partnership. One way to help build a positive relationship is to focus on their strengths with hands on activities. 

A well structured learning environment that is predictable helps with the unsettled child. All students with learning difficulties enjoy visual aides to give them clues to help anticipate what is happening next. It is important to have lots of repetition with out the teacher or learner becoming bored. 

Using prompt pause praise gives them an opportunity to think about what you are asking without getting confused because the teacher has continued waffling on. If you are havign a change in the programme remember to forewarn the student.