Peer interactions
School is a social environment and to truly participate in learning, students need opportunities to interact and learn from one another. As students with significant cognitive disabilities move into junior and senior high, their social opportunities tend to diminish. Two strategies for helping these students build stronger social connections include peer supports and service learning.
For a sample of the kinds of changes in practice observed by participants in the community of practice, click here.
Peer supports
Relationships matter and creating a sense of belonging at school is dependent on authentic friendship and social connections. Learn more…
Service learning
Participating in service learning projects, whether as a school-wide, class or individual activity, has the potential to build peer relationships and a sense of belonging. It also creates opportunities for students to be more active learners and experience personal autonomy. Learn more…
References
For a list of research articles, references and other information related to peer supports, click here.