Download resource

Please enter your details to download this resource
Login
 

Enter your details to access this video

Or if you already have an account login to watch the video (if you don't you can register here).
Login
Teacher motivating learners
Author: Karen Wilson, SEND Specialist
Email share link LinkedIn share link Twitter share link Facebook share link
Approximate reading time: 1 minute

All learners have times where they may become less engaged or motivated with their learning. This can be for a range of reasons but learners with additional needs may face even more challenges. It is important to get to know your learners well and learn what motivates and excites them. Try to incorporate this into your lesson planning and help them to progress and reach their full potential.

Tip or Idea: Positive reinforcement is essential in helping to build confidence, self-esteem and motivation. This can range from a simple well done, to a message home or even privileges such as extra computer time! Remember to praise effort and not just results. Making mistakes is part of learning and developing.

Free resource to help you with this activity: Our Successful ways to motivate your learners checklist is full of tried and tested ways to keep your learners interested, engaged and on-track!

Email share link LinkedIn share link Twitter share link Facebook share link

More articles by this author

illustration of a brain with symbols for the five senses

SEND support: Sensory-inclusive environments

Created: Mon 5th May 2025

Sensory needs (considering lighting, noise, textures, smells etc.) are now being seen as a central part of school design. It is widely recognised that overwhelming environments can block learning or trigger distress. Each learning environment presents its own opportunities and challenges to reducing sensory overload. Luckily, there are lots of small changes that can make a big difference to your learners!

SEND support: Word finding

Created: Mon 27th Nov 2023

Learners with speech and language difficulties may find it difficult to remember words or think or the word they want to use when they are talking. 

Tip or Idea: Think of a category such as ‘animals’ or ‘things in a kitchen’ and then see how many words you can name. Each time you think of a word place a Lego piece on top of another and see how tall a tower you can build! 

Teacher explaining comprehension skills to SEND learner

SEND support: Comprehension

Created: Wed 31st Jul 2024

SEND learners, particularly those with speech and language difficulties, can find comprehension more challenging for a range of reasons. Understanding of subject-specific vocabulary and inference can be difficult areas for some learners.

Tip or Idea: Start simple! Use single images or short sentences and talk about what is happening. Can your learner relate this to an experience they have had themselves?

Back to Blog