Objectives of the 10 Modules

This is a sample of the types of modules included – there may be some changes in order or topics based on speaker availability.

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a Teaching Assistant

• • To Understand the roles and responsibilities of Teaching Assistants in International Schools
  • Overview of course materials
  • Introduction to a framework for learning that can support best

How to work with children with behavioural difficulties

• • What is behaviour
  • How can we interpret behaviour?
  • How can we address problem behaviours?
  • Introduction to Functional Analysis as a way of understanding and supporting children with behavioural difficulties.
  • The role of a TA What class /  individual strategies can be used?

How to support students with reading and spelling difficulties

• • Gain an overview and understanding of reading development
  • Develop an understanding of the specific skills involved in reading.
  • Develop an understanding of where breakdowns in reading can occur and strategies to put in place to support the struggling reader.

Working with children on the autistic spectrum

• • Understand what is meant by Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Identifying areas of challenge for children with ASD
  • How ABA Therapy can support children with ASD
  • Understand what behaviours might be seen in the classroom when children have ASD
  • Learn how to support children in the classroom with ASD

Child Observations – why they are so important and how to write them

• • Understanding the importance of observation in supporting children
  • Traps to avoid when observing children
  • Different styles of observation
  • A first step into observation by making video-based observations

Working with the Social and Emotional Child

• • Introducing the idea of a growth mindset
  • How to support children with developing a growth mindset
  • Questions that elicit strengths in children
  • Ways to help children solve conflicts

Language Development and how to support students with language difficulties

• • To have an overview of typical language development.
  • To understand what communication skills are and why they are important.
  • Identifying common speech, language and communication needs and their impact.
  • Signs of difficulty.
  • Classroom strategies and case studies.

Supporting students with attention difficulties

• • To understand the different systems of attention as outlined by All Kinds of Minds
  • To understand what a diagnosis of ADHD means
  • To understand what behaviours might be seen in the classroom when children have attention difficulties
  • To learn how to support children in the classroom with attention difficulties

Ways of supporting children in mathematics

• • To look at current educational research into teaching mathematics, for example, on the topics of maths myths and gender differences.
  • Developing an understanding of what works best in schools
  • Thinking about specific learning difficulties and their impact on the teaching and learning of maths. 

Communication as a Teaching Assistant:

• • Understanding the importance of communication in the school environment
  • Ways to communicate effectively and positively with children
  • Using coaching questions and restorative communication approaches
  • Communicating professionally and confidently with parents
  • Building strong communication and collaboration with teachers and school staff