Teaching Basic Math and Counting in Special Education

Every child deserves a clear, accessible path to understanding numbers and basic math concepts. For educators, practitioners, and parents supporting learners with special needs, finding the right structured approach is key to unlocking these essential numeracy skills. This course guides you through the foundational principles of teaching counting and early math in inclusive and special education settings. You will discover how to break down complex tasks, use structured teaching frameworks, and create engaging, step-by-step learning plans that meet the unique needs of every student. What you'll learn: - Understand the core theories of mathematical cognitive development and how they apply to special education. - Apply the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) instructional sequence to build deep conceptual understanding. - Design structured counting activities and number-recognition exercises tailored to individual learning profiles. - Implement task analysis to break complex mathematical concepts into manageable, bite-sized steps. - Integrate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to make math lessons accessible and engaging. - Assess student progress using simple, formative tracking methods to guide future instruction. The course starts with fundamental terminology and cognitive principles before moving into practical lesson-planning strategies and instructional adaptations. You will read real-world scenarios and practice designing your own custom learning activities through guided written exercises. This course is designed for special education teachers, general educators, teaching assistants, and parents looking for structured, evidence-based strategies to teach early math. No prior experience in special education theory is required. Start building more inclusive, effective math lessons today.