What Parents Should Know About Universal Design for Learning

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational approach that helps teachers ensure every child can learn and participate in class, no matter their learning needs. Instead of pulling students out of class for extra help or after-school tutorials, UDL keeps the support in the inclusive classroom. Kiddom’s math curricula, built on Illustrative Mathematics®, are designed with UDL at their core. Each lesson is carefully planned to engage every student and provide flexible supports so all learners can tackle rigorous math together.

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How does UDL look in the math classroom?

Lessons follow a consistent structure and often progress from concrete to abstract concepts. For example, children might start by using hands-on objects (like blocks) or pictures to understand a math idea, and later move to numbers or symbols once they’ve grasped it. Teachers use plenty of manipulatives and visual aids (like counting cubes and charts) to help explain ideas in different ways. 

Built-in strategies help students stay on track without leaving their classmates. If a student has trouble focusing, remembering steps, or understanding language, the curriculum includes tools to help them within the lesson (for example, visual reminders or a more deliberate pace). 

UDL gives kids multiple ways to participate. In a typical math lesson, a student might first think about a problem independently, then discuss their ideas with a partner or small group, and finally share with the whole class. This gradual shift from solo work to group work gives everyone a chance to contribute and learn from one another.

Lessons connect math to real life. Students might apply math to everyday situations like planning a simple budget or measuring ingredients for a recipe. This helps children see why learning math matters and stay engaged, since they can relate it to their own lives.

With UDL, all students learn together as one community. Kiddom’s UDL-based math curriculum provides multiple entry points for understanding and participation, so every child can work at their level without being separated from classmates. By meeting students where they are, the program supports meaningful participation by all learners and helps every child grow in confidence and skills.

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What does this mean for teachers?

Instead of designing a “main lesson” and then creating separate interventions or accommodations, UDL encourages teachers to build flexibility into lessons from the start. Kiddom’s math curriculum already includes multiple ways to engage, represent ideas, and show understanding, so teachers can meet a wide range of learners without extra planning. In practice, this means:

1. Reduced need for Tier 2 interventions. When supports are embedded directly into instruction, teachers don’t have to stop learning for some students while others move on. Students who need extra time, visuals, hands-on tools, or language supports can access them in the moment, without being singled out or removed from their friends. This keeps the class learning together and preserves instructional time.

2. Better insight into student thinking. By offering multiple ways for students to explain their reasoning, teachers get a clearer picture of what students truly understand. This makes it easier to identify misconceptions early and respond with targeted support that keeps the math goals intact.

3. Improved classroom management and student independence. Consistent lesson structures, clear visuals, and predictable routines help students know what to expect and what to do next. As students learn to use tools such as graphic organizers, visual references, or checklists independently, teachers spend less time managing confusion and more time facilitating meaningful learning.

4. Time to focus on teaching, not juggling. Because barriers are anticipated and minimized up front, teachers can focus on instruction, questioning, and building mathematical understanding, rather than juggling different curricula and resources for their class. The result is a classroom where all students can participate in grade-level work, and teachers can teach with confidence that no one is being left behind.

By designing math instruction that anticipates differences from the start, UDL helps ensure every child feels included, capable, and supported in learning together with their peers.