This Practitioner-level course prepares participants to become effective shadow teachers, capable of supporting children with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream and inclusive settings. It focuses on building practical competencies, collaboration, and adaptive strategies for daily classroom scenarios.

Course Overview

  • Target Audience: Aspiring or practicing shadow teachers, SEN support staff, teachers, and education professionals looking to enhance practical skills for support roles.

  • Qualification Outcome: Practitioner Certificate in Shadow Teaching – Recognizes ability to independently deliver routine interventions, collaborate with teams, and adapt support methods for diverse learners.

Course Structure

Module Key Topics Learning Hours
Module 1 Play Skills & Social Interaction 2
Module 2 Managing Behaviors & SMART Goals 2
Module 3 Collaboration and Teamwork 2
Module 4 Adapting Academic Skills (Pre-literacy, Pre-numeracy, Differentiation) 2
Module 5 Motor Skills Development (Gross and Fine Motor Interventions) 2
Module 6 Special Situations & Learning Disabilities (e.g., ADHD, ASD, practical classroom cases) 2

Module Details

Module 1: Play Skills & Social Interaction

  • Facilitate play-based learning to build engagement and motivation.

  • Techniques for fostering positive peer interaction and communication.

  • Strategies to use play as an intervention for improving classroom participation.

Module 2: Managing Behaviors & SMART Goals

  • Functional behavior assessment in classroom settings.

  • Development and tracking of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals for student progress.

  • Practical routines for replacing problem behaviors with positive alternatives.

Module 3: Collaboration and Teamwork

  • Models of effective teamwork with classroom teachers, parents, and specialists.

  • Communication strategies for daily and periodic updates.

  • Problem-solving approaches for routine challenges requiring joint action.

Module 4: Adapting Academic Skills

  • Introducing and supporting pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills.

  • Differentiating instructional materials for diverse learning needs and styles.

  • Simple modifications to mainstream content to assist comprehension.

Module 5: Motor Skills Development

  • Basic activities for gross and fine motor improvement.

  • How motor development impacts classroom tasks (e.g., writing, using tools).

  • Incorporating movement-based interventions into lesson plans.

Module 6: Special Situations & Learning Disabilities

  • Hands-on approaches for assisting children with ADHD, ASD, and common learning disabilities.

  • Case-based learning and reflection for addressing frequent challenges.

  • Adapting teaching methods for communication/language differences.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • Apply play and social strategies to support engagement and motivation.

  • Manage behaviors using evidence-based goal-setting and monitoring tools.

  • Communicate and problem solve effectively within classroom teams.

  • Adapt academic and motor skill instruction for learners with varying needs.

  • Demonstrate autonomy and responsibility for standard support tasks in an inclusive classroom.

  • Address routine challenges related to different learning disabilities.

Assessment Methods

  • Practical classroom assignments and role-plays.

  • Mentor observation and feedback.

  • Portfolio compilation of lesson plans, intervention logs, and reflection notes.