Classroom decorating ideas for special education students should be chosen with the students in mind. The goal of any classroom is to give the students a safe, clean, and inspiring space to learn and grow. There are many options for classroom design that will meet these goals, but some ideas may be more appropriate for special education students than others.
What types of challenges are the special education students facing? For example, do they have trouble focusing on one thing or do they have difficulty transitioning from one activity to another? Once these issues have been identified, consider using your design to help support the students as they work through their challenges.
When decorating a classroom for special education students, there are several things to keep in mind. For example, it is important to prioritize safety, so in addition to choosing a theme and decorations that will engage the students and motivate them to learn, you’ll need to make sure that everything is securely attached to the wall or floor so as not to pose a tripping hazard. You’ll also want to choose decorations that are color-coded by subject area (for example, red folders for math) so as not to overwhelm your students with new information.
For example, if you’re teaching a unit on the solar system, add some planets to the walls in your classroom. You can paint them yourself or purchase some that are already painted. Don’t forget to include our sun! A bright yellow circle will do just fine.
You’ll want to make sure that each part of your room is purposeful, but also fun and engaging. Try not to add too much clutter because it can be distracting, but don’t be afraid to use color and different textures like plush carpeting or bean bags. Most importantly: have fun with it.
For example, you might want to create a bulletin board with pictures of all of the different students in your class, or hang up posters that have information on how to solve equations. Another idea is to provide a space where children can take their shoes off and put them back on while they are sitting at their desks.
Tips on how to Decorate a Classroom
- Don’t rely on charts to explain instructions. Charts may not be suitable for students who have difficulty reading or focusing on large amounts of text. Instead, opt for pictures and small amounts of text that are placed near the activity they’re related to.
- Keep decorations simple. Too many distractions or activities can be overwhelming for students with sensory issues. Limit decorations to a few key pieces that set the tone for the classroom and focus on learning activities instead.
- Incorporate sensory objects into your design. Sensory objects are great ways to make your classroom inviting and fun without relying on distracting visuals. Students will enjoy exploring textures, scents, and sounds while they learn.
- Choose a calming color palette. Students with special needs often find bright colors difficult to focus on or even painful to look at. Use softer hues like blues, greens, and grays in your design so that everyone can feel comfortable in their space.
When it comes to decorating a classroom, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you want your classroom design to reflect the level of education being taught. For instance, if you’re teaching advanced algebra, you probably don’t want to have cartoon characters all over the room.
Second, you want your students to feel comfortable and at home in their environment. When children are uncomfortable or feel out of place, they often act out and misbehave. It’s important for them to feel like part of the school community and that they can trust the teacher and other students with whom they interact on a daily basis.
Third, you want your classroom design to encourage learning. The best way to do this is by providing plenty of opportunities for hands-on experiences as well as quiet areas where students can read independently or work with each other in small groups without interruptions from others nearby.
Fourth, you want an area dedicated solely for eating lunch so that kids aren’t tempted into eating candy instead of healthy foods during snack time (or worse yet–both). Fifth–and most importantly–is having fun! Your classroom should be filled with bright colors and images that inspire creativity while still remaining safe for younger students who may be allergic.