For many young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with Down's syndrome, symbols are a great tool for learning. They help turn tricky ideas into something more visual and accessible. But here’s the thing—just because a learner can see a symbol doesn’t mean they understand it!
This is especially important in Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education), where we’re talking about things like personal boundaries, emotions, and consent. If we don’t check understanding, symbols risk becoming just nice pictures instead of real support for learning.
It’s tempting to add symbols to every word in a sentence, but more isn’t always better! Over-symbolising can make information harder to process. Instead, focus on key symbols that highlight the most important concepts.
Some learners may not need symbols – while symbols can be incredibly helpful, some learners may prefer spoken words, pictures, or other tools. It’s about finding what suits their needs best!
When using symbols, the goal is always understanding, not just decoration!
It’s easy to assume that if a learner can match a symbol to a word, they get it. But that’s not always true! Before we move on, we need to ask:
Can they explain what it means in their own way? (This could be through speech, sign language, concept cards, or alternative communication tools.)
Without these checks, we might end up with learners who can ‘read’ the symbols but don’t actually understand them. That can be a big problem when teaching about safety, relationships, and making choices.
Not all learners are ready to use symbols fluently, and that’s okay! Here’s how we can help:
It’s all about making sure every learner has the tools they need to succeed at their own pace.
RSE is about making sure young people have the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices. But that only works if they have a say in how they learn! We need to actively involve them in the process.
At Learn and Thrive, our Learning for Life project will always identify and teach new language as part of each topic. As concepts become more complex, we will provide concept cards to support learning, ensuring that key ideas are accessible and well understood. At Learn and Thrive, our Learning for Life series is designed to help young people build real-world skills.
We don’t just throw symbols at them—we make sure they understand them, giving them the confidence to navigate relationships, independence, and personal safety. By focusing on clear language, choice, and engagement, we help learners take control of their learning and advocate for themselves.
Symbols are an incredible tool—but only if they truly mean something to the learner. By making sure we check understanding, involve learners in their education, and build a strong language foundation, we can make RSE meaningful and accessible for young people with SEND.
Let’s move beyond just using symbols - let’s make them work!
Join us in empowering young learners through engaging, effective education.
