Did you know you can set up your classroom as an extra pair of hands? Creating a successful classroom setup not only lends a pair of extra hands but can also help prevent some behaviors.
WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS?
Environmental Modifications are physical adaptations to the classroom that can help your students be successful. Creating environmental modifications is a strategy we can use to decrease unexpected behaviors.
Environmental modifications can help promote the following:
- Emotional regulation
- Increased learning skills
- Increased engagement
- Increased independence
ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS IN OUR HOMES AND COMMUNITY
Most likely, you have utilized environmental modifications in your home or community.
- Appliances in easy reach in the kitchen
- Furniture set up
- Medications high up and out of reach of children
- Handrails in shower
- Fenced in backyard
- Stool for brushing teeth
- Booster seat for table
- Bed rails
- Handrails on stairs
- Ramps
OTHER EXAMPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS
- If a student has a vision problem, seat them at the front of the room
- If a student has a hearing loss, you may use an FM system
- If a student has trouble staying on task, you may make them a checklist as a visual to follow
- A student has a broken leg, sit near the door and edge of the classroom to have less trouble leaving the room
- Not able to use the stairs, use the elevator
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SETTING UP THE CLASSROOM
- Free uncluttered room
- Position furniture so that staff/students can move around the room
- Use wall decorations (not too much, not too little)
- Designate classroom areas for group work, calm-down space, individual workspace, etc.
- Visuals in the classroom (schedule, expectations, areas, etc.)
- Organize materials for easy accessibility
- Items out of reach or in cabinets
STUDENT STRUGGLING WITH BEHAVIOR?
Students who struggle with their behavior may need different environmental modifications to help them be successful. The following environmental modifications can be used as a strategy to reduce behaviors in the classroom:
- Sitting on the end of a row
- Items out of reach or in cabinets
- Keeping doors closed
- Locking cabinets
- Using bookshelves
- Labeling areas of the classroom
- Visual boundaries
- Visual schedules
