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Cognition & Learning
Key Points
Children with learning needs may:
- Find it difficult to grasp new concepts or retain information
- Require more time to process learning
- Struggle with reading, writing, or maths
- Have specific learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, or Dyspraxia
How We Support This at The Flourish Federation:
- High-quality, inclusive teaching with scaffolding and differentiation
- Use of practical resources, manipulatives, and multisensory learning techniques
- Structured interventions such as phonics support, precision teaching, and targeted reading programmes
- Access to assistive technology where needed
Children with Cognition & Learning needs may find it more difficult than their peers to acquire new skills, process information, or apply what they have learned in different situations. These difficulties can be mild, moderate, or severe and may impact a child’s ability to access the curriculum, retain knowledge, or work at the same pace as their classmates.
Some children may have general learning difficulties, meaning they struggle across multiple areas of learning, while others may have specific learning difficulties (SpLD) that affect one particular aspect of learning, such as reading, writing, or maths.
Common cognition and learning needs include:
- General Learning Delay – where a child requires significant additional support across the curriculum
- Dyslexia – difficulties mainly linked to reading, spelling, and phonological awareness
- Dyscalculia – challenges with understanding numbers, calculations, and mathematical reasoning
- Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder - DCD) – impacting coordination, organisation, and fine motor skills
- Working Memory and Processing Speed Difficulties – making it harder to retain, recall, and apply information
Some of the ways in which we support this at The Flourish Federation:
- High-Quality, Inclusive Teaching – All our lessons are carefully structured to ensure they are accessible to every learner. Teachers use scaffolding, chunking information, and differentiated resources to support children in making progress.
- Multisensory Learning – We use a range of approaches, including visual aids, hands-on activities, and kinaesthetic learning to help children engage with the curriculum in ways that suit their learning style.
- Targeted Interventions – Some children benefit from additional small-group or 1:1 interventions such as:
- Phonics-based programmes to support early reading skills
- Precision Teaching to reinforce key skills through repetition
- Memory and recall activities to support working memory development
- Maths interventions to build confidence with number skills
- Use of Assistive Technology – Where appropriate, children may have access to:
- Laptops to aid written work
- Text-to-speech devices for reading support
- Coloured overlays or tinted screens for visual stress difficulties
- Pre-Teaching and Overlearning – Some children benefit from learning new vocabulary, key concepts, or mathematical strategies before they are introduced to the whole class, helping them feel more confident and prepared.
- Supporting Independence – We provide resources such as word mats, number lines, and personalised checkliststo help children take ownership of their learning and reduce reliance on adult support.
- Close Collaboration with External Specialists – We work alongside Educational Psychologists, Specialist Teaching Services, and Outreach Teams to ensure children with significant learning difficulties receive tailored support.
For further information and support, parents can visit The Pod – Kent Community Health NHS Trust which offers resources for Cognition and Learning.
Click to access The Pod - Children's Therapies Service Website
