Strategies of an adaptive approach

What

Research has shown that the implementation of adaptive education in the regular nursery classes for children with a development lead is more difficult and requires more time than is usually estimated. We present a action plan that can serve as an aid.

We recommend that children with a development lead in the nursery classes get education that meet the needs of these children. This concerns adaptive education in two ways:

1. Differentiate within the group/classroom in raising questions, for example with the help of Thinker’s Keys for Young Children. Make it a strategy for daily practice.

2. Besides (!), form a peer-group with children who have developmental similarities, supported by the teacher and / or with a support assistant (preferably daily, in which the teacher gives a short instruction and consequently motivate the children to get to work. This group could meet once a week or some times a week, but regularly.

Why

When education is offered that is tailored to the needs of the child, the child can really learn and develop himself. Besides, children with a development lead will get a better self-image and self-confidence by education that is adapted to the needs of the child, which is very important for a cognitively and socio-emotionally balanced development.

How

It is necessary and possible in regular education to offer education tailored to the needs of the child in every class. To guarantee this it is preferred to let children with a development lead work daily, or if this is not possible at least weekly some time in a peer group of children developmental similarities. If these children do not meet regurally like-minded people, they could develop and experience loneliness. They could felt themselves not understood. That is why it is important for these children to cooperate on challenging tasks together with development matches.

In order to develop and implement this education for the Kindergarten, we have set up a step-action-plan.

If you have any comments or suggestions for this step-action-plan please tell us.

Example

Here we present a worked out example of the action plan for adapted education for toddlers.