Not all people learn the same way. Some people may need a different approach to participate in the curriculum, activity, or setting to the full extent. Learn how to make learning accessible to meet this need. Download a free Differentiation Guide to help!

As an adult, I have made a career of teaching in alternative ways to provide learning opportunities to all. I have learned that differentiation can be really simple and make a huge difference in the life of the learner. This has come from multiple degrees in education, extensive experience in the special education system, and personal growth with individuals who took the time to teach me.

Teaching Gabe

In middle school, I helped out with Sunday School, eventually teaching my own class in high school. One of the students I worked with was Gabe. Now, I understand that Gabe had Autism. Back then, I was just told that Gabe needed his own teacher because he had a hard time in groups. But I never saw Gabe having trouble with groups. I saw Gabe dance during worship singalongs. I saw Gabe use a pair of scissors for the first time. I saw Gabe give his mom a craft each week. I saw Gabe share faith with his friends.

The Gabe I got to know was a kid who needed to do groups a little differently than others. It wasn’t that he had a hard time in groups; it was that group activities didn’t speak to Gabe in a way he could access it. Gabe needed just a little more time and space to follow a direction. He needed repetition and modelling. But most of all, he needed someone who understood that he needed a different way than others. 

I learned more from Gabe than from any of my special education classes. He taught me to look for body language signs instead of relying on words and showed me how to slow the pace without leaving anyone behind. I learned that, for Gabe, intense eye contact was an ask for help, and if he put your name on his craft with an orange marker, he was thanking you for helping. Gabe learned about God, while I learned how to differentiate for different people’s needs. 

Differentiation

Differentiation is the adaptation of curriculum, activity, or setting to allow for more access to the learning opportunities. There are many reasons that differentiation may need to occur. Some reasons may be obvious, but many are hidden below the surface, and you may only learn about them from being told by a guardian or caregiver. If you notice something isn’t working for someone, try changing things a little bit. Or try to ask what the barrier is (in an age-appropriate way) and see if you can learn differentiation strategies straight from the source. 

Common differentiation needs include sensory, physical, or mental health-based barriers. Adapting the activity or setting could promote increased participation—making the activity more accessible to individuals in need—with little to no impact on the rest of the group. Similarly, being aware of possible limitations, triggers, or specific situations can create a supportive setting for the whole group as individuals work through their own barriers. However, what works for one person may be a barrier to another. It is important to remember that the purpose of differentiation is not to put the needs of the group to the side to accommodate the needs of one person but instead to find ways to include those who may struggle.

There is no limit to what can be differentiated or how you can do so, and no wrong answers in the trial-and-error process. This means that all you can do is your best when it comes to providing access to specific learning opportunities. That may be something as small as teaching with the lights off or big like pairing a kid up with a specific adult to help them. You can see what works for your specific group and the needs that everyone presents. If it doesn’t work, that’s okay. Try something different! 

Resources

Spirit & Truth Publishing has released a differentiation guide as a free resource for everyone. This guidance offers starting strategies for common differentiation needs that could be present in a group setting. Brief descriptions of the needs could help you identify individuals who may be silently missing out on the full potential of participation. While the differentiation guide is just a starting place, it opens the door for a more accessible and inclusive faith experience. 

Often, a congregation has an untapped (or unknown) wealth of knowledge in it as well! Consider partnering with a congregation member with a background in education or other experience with differentiation for specific needs. Many who work in children’s ministry can identify their volunteers or connections who have experiences that would be beneficial to creating a differentiated experience when needed. Learning from each other in this way can strengthen the connections of your faith community as well.

Conclusion

What works for the majority doesn’t always work for everyone. Each person has a unique set of needs, and this may call for differentiation within their faith journey. If you are teaching or providing faith-based curriculum, try to learn strategies to adapt curriculum, activities, or settings to best set everyone up for meaningful learning experiences. Use a resource like Spirit & Truth’s differentiation guide or consult with a community member to find differentiation strategies that work for your situation. Differentiation can increase accessibility and inclusion for young people to allow for stronger connections within your faith community. 

Warmly,

Elaine Seekon

About the Writer

Elaine is an educator by trade and passion, licensed in Special Education areas of Emotional Behavior Disorders, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as Secondary Communicative Arts. Education-driven, she has previously completed a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Social Psychology. She is currently working as a Behavior Specialist in a high school setting. With Spirit & Truth Publishing, Elaine is happily employed as a writer and editor.

This blog post is part of a monthly series of practical advice for faith formation leaders by faith formation and education professionals. Summaries of these posts are sent in a monthly email to email subscribers. Subscribe today!