The Bermuda Triangle??
Okay, so what does Bermuda have to do with this post besides the fact that it’s a really cool place to go on vacation? Well, not much, and admittedly I included it just to get your attention. The triangle context I’ll be using today has much better outcomes than the one from Bermuda lore.
In today's example, you actually want your child to be inside the Bermuda Triangle. The triangle shape is very pertinent and important to classroom success. As parents, we want our children to receive optimal attention and monitoring from the classroom teacher. No matter if our kiddo is neurotypical, or has ADHD, autism, or other challenges, particular seats in the classroom receive more attention, eye contact, and prompting from the classroom teacher than other seats.
Picture a Triangle
Picture a traditional classroom, with the front row being the base of the triangle and the two angled sides extending into the middle portion of the classroom. The children sitting in that triangle receive the most attention from the classroom teacher. That’s where you want your child seated. I would suggest that the more attention your child needs, the more important it is to sit near the front and in the middle. A 504 plan or IEP sometimes refers to this as “preferential seating” but that term can be rather vague. I want you to be specific when having those discussions with school staff.
The Triangle is Only One Tool
There are many other suggestions and accommodations that can help your child experience increased levels of success in the classroom. These could include:
- having your child sit at a carrell that blocks out external stimuli and reduces distractions, using headphones to block out external noises or a quiet area to work,
- extra time to complete assignments,
- material being provided in audio form with an option for them to dictate their work instead of handwriting
- a token economy system to incentivize completing any given project or assignment,
- breaks that include running in the gym for a few minutes,
- being the class helper that gets your kiddo out of their seat and moving around periodically throughout the day,
- a visual prompt on the child’s desk to remind them to pay attention or turn in homework,
- a vibrating alarm on the child’s wrist that vibrates every eight minutes to remind to pay attention, and so on.
Having one of these, or multiple options to try is a good way to discover what might be the best fit for your kiddo.
Wrap Up:
If you have any questions regarding improving your child's classroom success, feel free to reach out to Facebook or at DrCarosso@aol.com. I hope you have found this post be helpful in recognizing the importance of what’s referred to as preferential seating in the specifics of what that might look like. Hope you have a wonderful day, and God bless you and your kiddos.
