Games to Play in Special Education Needs Classes

Children with learning difficulties and disabilities need non-competitive games that they can take part in during the school day. If you have children with learning disabilities in a mainstream class, then you have to think of games where everyone has a fair chance of winning. Choosing games is an important element to ensuring that everyone has a fun and enjoyable time, reducing the risk of choosing games where children with special education needs don't have the skill to take part and are left on the side lines. Special considerations must be taken when it comes to an inclusive classroom. So ensure that the games you choose is something everyone in the class can take part in whether one or two or the children have ADHD, cerebral palsy, down syndrome or dyslexia.

Skittles

Skittles is a fun game for all the children to play. Place the skittles in a triangle on the one side of the classroom and the children can roll a ball to knock as many down as possible. For children with disabilities, this is the ideal game as you can move children with problems aiming or throwing closer to the skittles so that they have a chance of playing and possibly winning the game. Skittles is a great activity to consider when it's wet outside and the children need to get up and get moving. When it's raining outdoors, children tend to remain cooped up in the classroom and for some of your special education needs children, this can result in disruption, bad behaviour and more. Getting them moving, takes a break from the academic side of the class and gives children some fun and enjoyment.

Guess the Object

Another fun game you can play when you have an inclusive class that has some children with learning difficulties or disabilities is guess the object. Take a box and place an object inside, get the children to ask questions that can only have a yes or no answer to help them guess what is in the box. Children will have great delight trying to identify what you may have put in the box. The more questions they ask, the more likely they are to guess the object. Once the object has been identified, you can hand the box to the winner and give them a chance of hiding something inside and answering the questions with yes or no answers.

Musical Numbers

Musical numbers is a fun way to get everyone to get moving and also focus on their numeracy. This game is relatively easy to understand and children will find great delight in it without realising that you are actually helping them with their numbers. When the music starts, children are to dance around and move. When the music stops, you must shout out a number and the children need to get in groups of that number. So if you shout out four, they must get into groups of four. You can also use cards with the number drawn on them as a way of getting the number across to the children. This is a great way to learn numeracy and still have some movement going and some fun in the process.

Musical Chairs

On a wet and miserable day outdoors and the children are getting a little restless, you may want to play a simple game of musical chairs. Musical chairs has been played for years, though of course it is only possible in a class where you don't have children in a wheelchair. Place chairs in the room, one less than the number of children in the class. Play music and let them dance and have fun. When the music stops, the children have to find a chair. The one without a chair is out. For the next round, remove a chair and continue the process. The last person on a chair is the winner. This game, while simple, can encourage activity and get the children moving. It is the perfect choice when the children start losing concentration and becoming disruptive.

Pass the Hat

Pass the hat is a fun game which can be placed in an inclusive classroom with children with learning difficulties and physical problems. Place the children in a circle and then give them one hat. The hat is placed on the head and then the music starts. While the music plays, the children pass the hat from one to the other . When the music stops, the one with the hat on their head needs to sing a song, they need to dance or tell a story. This is a game which can be played by everyone in the class room. It is fun and because the rules are so simple, those with learning and physical problems can join in with confidence. Remember music is a wonderful tool when working with special education needs children, it is stimulating and can get them excited and moving.

Darts

Ball darts are a fun ways to spend some time and get the children's minds off academics for a while. Ball darts can be quite focused, so you will want to modify the game to ensure that all the children can take part. Start by taking a box and cutting some small holes in it, this is the target and what the children need to aim for. Using a small ball the children must stand at the line and throw the ball into the holes. For those with aiming or throwing issues, they can move closer to the box, or you can make all the children stand closer to the box so that they feel included and confident when taking part.