Education experts in the United Kingdom are starting a two-year study exploring what teaching methods are most effective for children who have special needs due to their premature births. Eighty percent of premature babies born today survive due to advances in medicine. Some are born before their brain development is complete. These children will face unique challenges and this study will begin to determine the best teaching methods for them to receive an educational benefit.
As a parent of a child who was a preemie (27 weeks and 800 grams) we have had to find our way with sheer instinct and some expert advice as to how our son learns best and understanding the fullness of his needs. There are so many things that appear separate from his physical challenges that are confounding, e.g. emotional immaturity, perseveration, seizures, sleep issues and moving ahead in math and reading. Perhaps this study will shed light on our son's life long quest to learn.