Communicating Social Support

Beginning teachers often don't anticipate the challenges that high-needs students present. This video provides supportive strategies that boost the success of special needs learners. Exploring verbal and nonverbal communication through immediacy behaviors, the program shows how teachers can reduce the psychological distance between themselves and challenged students, with tangible benefits in student performance. The power of humor, praise, inclusiveness, listening to student feedback, and other strategies are discussed, as well as self-awareness points like speech tempo, tone of voice, and body language. A viewable/printable instructor's guide is available online. (13 minutes)