Key Topics: Educating children with Down syndrome in mainstream primary schools from 5 to 11 years

This page provides the planned programme and session summaries for the Educating children with Down syndrome in mainstream primary schools from 5 to 11 years training course.

Introduction

This training course provides a range of keynote and a series of parallel workshops covering the wide range of issues affecting the successful education and inclusion of children with Down syndrome in mainstream primary schools.

Each workshop aims to provide practical approaches to promoting development, presenting evidence-based strategies and techniques wherever possible.

Parallel sessions

Delegates may select from the parallel sessions to tailor the course content to best meet their needs. We recommend that organisations consider sending two members of staff so they can attend all parallel sessions to ensure full coverage of all issues raised.

Please note: delegates will receive a course booklet that will include summaries of the content of all parallel sessions, not just the ones attended.

Programme

Time	Session title
9.00-9.30	Registration (tea and coffee available)
9.30-10.30	1. Welcome and Keynote: Evidence-based effective education - the specific learning needs of children with Down syndrome
10.30-11.30	2a. Supporting speech, language and communication development	2b. Accessing the curriculum: planning and differentiation
11.30- 11.55	Coffee/tea break
11.55-12.55	3a. Developing literacy skills across the curriculum	3b. Developing motor and self-help skills
12.55-1.35	Lunch
1.35- 2.35	4a. Developing memory skills	4b. Planning for full social inclusion and friendships
2.35-3.00	Tea
3.00-4.00	5a. Developing number skills including a brief introduction to the Numicon maths system	5b. Preparation and planning for whole school inclusion
4.00-4.30	6. Key messages and final queries: Keys to successful inclusion

Content of each session

Keynote

1. Evidence-based effective education: the specific needs of children with Down syndrome

• A summary of the research findings on the specific social and cognitive profile associated with Down syndrome
• The implications of this profile for adapting teaching methods and curriculum targets
• Research evidence for the educational benefits of full inclusion in mainstream education

Parallel workshops

2a. Supporting speech, language and communication development

• Understanding the speech, language and communication needs of children with Down syndrome
• Supporting speech and language development across the curriculum
• Working with the speech and language therapist

2b. Accessing the curriculum: planning and differentiation

• Differentiating for individual needs
• Promoting effective learning
• Measuring progress

3a. Developing literacy skills across the curriculum

• Effective methods for teaching children with Down syndrome to read and write
• Adapted reading and writing activities across the curriculum
• Using reading activities to develop speech and language

3b. Developing motor and self-help skills

• Developing hand-writing and fine motor skills
• Inclusion in PE and developing body control and balance
• Encouraging independence - dressing, mealtimes, toileting
• Working with the occupational and physiotherapist

4a. Developing memory skills

• Understanding working memory and its importance for language development
• Ways to improve memory skills

4b. Planning for social inclusion and friendships

• Strategies to support friendships and social participation
• Encouraging age-appropriate behaviour
• Understanding the reasons for inappropriate behaviour
• Basic strategies for changing behaviour

5a. Developing number skills

• Effective methods for teaching children with Down syndrome to count and to calculate
• An introduction to the use and benefits of using the Numicon maths system
• Accessing the wider maths curriculum

5b. Preparation and planning for whole school inclusion

• Developing an inclusive school
• Planning and procedures that need to be in place beyond the classroom
• Working in partnership with support services

Please note: Down Syndrome Education Internationalreserves the right to alter this planned programme and the content of each session, if necessary, in order to provide the best possible service to the delegates booked into any one training event.