In the case study, Understanding Maya and recalling earlier challenges, special needs learners such as Maya tend to have lower cognitive ability because of series of child development challenges. The education strategy applied by Maya’s teacher, Akito, is ideal, dynamic, and focused on integrating special needs learners into the ordinary classroom environment. On the other hand, Catherine adopts an ineffective instruction methodology, which assumes that all learners have similar needs or cognitive ability (Ozretich et al. 43).
From the case, in order to keep special needs learners from feeling out of place, a teacher should develop learning objectives that adopt an inclusive approach to instruction delivery. Besides, the interactive lesson should encourage such learners to intermingle freely with their peers. It is also important to integrate the inclusivity strategy to motivate the ‘no good’ approach to improve the special needs learners’ knowledge process to the ‘good’ group (Ozretich et al. 45).
As a kindergarten teacher, I find Catherine’s strategy ineffective since she does not encourage complete learner integration by balancing the needs of different learners. For instance, Catherine only sees the disability in Maya and is struggling to accept the fact that the ailment has reduced her cognitive ability. If I was in the same position as Catherine, I would seek to create a link between the special needs learners’ cognitive and physical processes within the confines of care and support services by allowing them to grasp knowledge within their ability (Ozretich et al. 47). Besides, I would design special visual materials that are accompanied by pictures to explain different concepts to make the special needs learners feel accepted.
In order to make the learning environment ideal and inclusive, a teacher should not concentrate on a learner’s disability since it is tantamount to discrimination. For instance, despite the fact that Catherine is aware of the cognitive challenges facing Maya, she cannot accommodate her learning disability. This is against the biblical teaching on the need to embrace children and treat them equally with care as captured in the book of Romans 2:11, which advises Christians not to show partiality. In relation to the case study, Catherine’s ineffective approach made it very difficult for her to appreciate the attention that should be accorded to special needs learners.
In summary, in order to be an effective instructor in the early childhood education environment, a kindergarten teacher should encourage creativity among learners. At this stage, learners require attention and constant encouragement to explore their abilities.
Works Cited
Ozretich, Rachel, Linda Burt, Susan Doescher and Martha Foster. Case Studies in Early Childhood Education: Implementing Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill, 2010. Print.