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GET STARTED – ACTIVE SCHOOLS 15
Students with special needs
and abilities
Students with special needs
Students with special needs should be involved in
physical activity alongside their classroom counterparts
– not sent to work in isolated areas of the school.
The teaching principles are the same regardless of
the ability of the child, and activities should meet
their needs and provide some challenge. Integrating
children with special needs allows them to enjoy
experiences with their peers as they become part of
the group.
The following guidelines are from the Halberg Trust’s
Teacher and Teacher Aide Training resource.
Teaching strategies
> Make small groups of similar abilities – this allows
for individual progress at different levels.
> Make large groups of differing abilities.
> Use a buddy system.
> Ensure students are correctly positioned
(e.g. within visual range) for demonstration/
instruction to maximise understanding.
> Use visual aides and demonstrations to model
the activity:
– Use physical assistance by guiding body parts
through the movement.
– Use language that is appropriate to the group.
– Make use of specially designed equipment to
help learning.
– Always check that students have understood
the instructions.
– Use circuit activities to allow students to progress
at their own level and pace.
“The teachers who identify students
with special needs should consult
with parents, other teachers, and
specialist educators before designing
and implementing special learning
programmes. Students with disabilities
should be provided with means of
access to all school facilities.”
– Health and Physical Education in the
New Zealand Curriculum
> Introduce activities that may be new for all the
students and are particularly appropriate for
students with disabilities such as goal ball and
boccia (see www.boccia.org.nz).