❤️Heart Teaching: 10 Real Ways to Support SEN Students
At Heart Teaching, we’re all about teaching with compassion, connection, and heart. Supporting students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about showing up, being consistent, and creating a space where every learner feels like they belong.
Here are 10 real, down-to-earth ways to support SEN students in your classroom — tried, tested, and grounded in kindness.
1. Get to Know the Whole Child
Before anything else, build a relationship. Take time to learn what makes your student light up — their interests, quirks, worries, and strengths. SEN students thrive when they feel seen and understood.
2. Keep Instructions Simple and Clear
Many SEN students struggle with processing too much information at once. Break things down. Use step-by-step instructions, repeat when needed, and back it up with visuals. Less overwhelm, more confidence.
3. Stick to Routines (but Be Flexible Too)
Routine brings comfort — especially for students who find unpredictability stressful. Use visual timetables, give countdowns for transitions, and when things do change, talk it through gently.
4. Differentiate, Always
Not all kids learn in the same way. Offer choices: draw it, say it, build it, act it out. Think about how you can adjust the task, not the expectation of learning.
5. Respect Sensory Needs
Some kids need movement. Some need quiet. Some might chew their pencil or fidget constantly — and that’s okay. Find what helps them regulate, and make it part of the day without making a big deal.
6. Teach Them to Understand Themselves
Help your students figure out what helps them learn best. Teach them language like “I need a break” or “I work better with headphones.” You’re not just supporting them for your classroom — you’re helping them for life.
7. Celebrate the Small Wins
Every little step matters. That first time they ask for help, complete a task independently, or stay calm in a tricky situation — those are victories. Recognize them. They mean more than you might think.
8. Work With Families (Not Around Them)
Parents and carers are your biggest allies. Keep communication open and honest. Ask what works at home, share what’s happening at school, and remember — they know their child best.
9. Focus on the Positive
Instead of managing “behavior,” look for the why behind it. Praise what’s going well, redirect gently when needed, and make sure they know they’re more than their challenges.
10. Keep Learning With an Open Heart
There’s no perfect formula. Some strategies work wonders one week and flop the next. That’s okay. Keep showing up, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Supporting SEN students isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being patient, adaptable, and genuinely caring. When we lead with heart, we create classrooms where every child can grow, not just academically — but as confident, joyful learners.
