Expressing Feelings
Many students with special needs require visual supports to be able to identify how they feel. Understanding emotions and managing feelings appropriately can have a huge impact on self-esteem, self-regulation and social acceptance.
Below are examples of visual supports used at Tangara School. Students in Kindergarten begin with identifying and understanding 'happy', 'sad' and 'calm'. Photos and mirrors are used with these symbols in the early stages of understanding. New feelings are introduced and explored as students demonstrate they are ready to learn them.
Below are examples of visual supports used at Tangara School. Students in Kindergarten begin with identifying and understanding 'happy', 'sad' and 'calm'. Photos and mirrors are used with these symbols in the early stages of understanding. New feelings are introduced and explored as students demonstrate they are ready to learn them.
Many students demonstrate innappropriate behaviours in response to their feelings. This can include hitting, kicking, throwing objects and/or self harming. Students need to learn to make appropriate choices. Below are examples of how visuals can be used to teach students how to make good choices. In the early stages of choice making, a student will often require objects and/or photos. Initially they often also need guidance and role modelling.