B is having a small tantrum because he doesn't want to stop playing and take a nap. He uses a calm down strategy (song from Daniel Tiger) during his tantrum. He has been practicing this particular strategy during calm moments daily for about a month. It is very important to practice strategies that you want your child to use while they are calm so that they can access them during a tantrum.
Do you have a way that you keep track of everything that is going to happen in your day? Maybe a calendar? Or notes on your phone? Or just a mental list of what is on your agenda? Do you get frustrated if your schedule changes? Children are the same way, but they can't do it for themselves. Here's a simple way, using materials you already have at home, to create a visual schedule for the day. While some children are okay with a verbal reminder of what comes next throughout the day, others need the visual picture so they can look and see how the day is going to progress. Just like other strategies, you will have to demonstrate the schedule so your child learns how to 'read' it. Don't expect this to magically work, it takes some children repetition over several weeks to really get the hang of what the schedule means. But then, wow! Game changer!
What do you do when a book is too long and your child can't attend for the entire story? Or what if there are so many new vocabulary words that your child doesn't understand half of what you are reading? Here's my solution: make up your own story by telling what is happening in the pictures. Pick books that have interesting pictures that show activities that are familiar to your child (like eating, or going to the park, or playing with a pet). See how I do it with a book that is too advanced for my child, but I make it work by changing the story. Reading is about teaching new vocabulary and concepts, but it's also supposed to be a fun exchange between you and your child. P.S. It's also okay if you 'read' 3 pages instead of the entire book. Just try add more pages each time to you read with your child.
In this video, you'll see how Wanda keeps asking Zack if he wants 'more yogurt.' It might sound like he's not responding... but he is! He is just beginning to use words to communicate and "Mmm" is his way of saying more. Instead of focusing on how he isn't saying the entire word, Wanda just continues to model the correct pronunciation. Zack says, "Mmm" and Wanda repeats, "Oh, are you asking for more? More." She is helping him build functional communication skills.
The more support we can offer children so they know what is happening in their day, the smoother the day will go. Don't we all want to know what's going to happen next? And if we have to stop something we love, don't we do better when we have a little warning? All of our schedules have been completely thrown off with the closing of school. Try out some of these ideas, and see if they begin to help smooth out the days. Remember, though, it takes time for children to learn the routines. Don't be discouraged! Just keep trying.
Transitions are hard for children, which make transitions hard for parents too! Kathryn has just started a new transition routine with Ben. Watch as she demonstrates using a timer as a transition cue at bedtime.
As adults, we have all kinds of reminders throughout the day of what we need to do. A to-do list. A recipe. A calendar reminder on our phone. Map-quest. Children can really benefit from having the same visual schedules in their day too. Here are several ideas of how you can create visual schedules in your home. I used a plastic cutting sheet and cardboard from a box. This is called make-do with what you have!
See if there are things at home that relate to the books you are reading. If you read a book about the grocery store, eat some of the same foods at snack time. That way, you take a concept that was introduced in the book and your child can experience it during a real, functional activity. Once you start thinking about the idea of incorporating 'learning' during daily tasks, it really does become easier and easier!
Don't have books? Tired of reading the ones you do have? No problem! Make your own (including props!). Reading is one of the best ways to increase vocabulary, work on back and forth language, increase skills with answering questions, demonstrate memory with real experiences related to the book, and practice participating in a structured task. Bonus points if you then follow up the book with a related activity. For example, If you read a book about swimming, talk about that while your child is in the bathtub. Bonus, bonus points- read the book again after bath time!
This video begins to demonstrate the use of picture cards for choice making. We can do this for mealtimes with foods (cookie or apple), throughout the day for activity choices (puzzles or books), and to continue or end an activity (yes or no). This is such a powerful step in teaching children how to express themselves.
It might not look like it does at school, but it still can be just as meaningful! I've made these cookies so many times, I don't even need to see the recipe. But times are different right now, and I was so distracted by what I was doing (making videos) that I'm pretty sure I forgot the second cup of flour! Guess what? They still taste like cookies. And that should be the take away from this video. It won't be the same... and that's OK! Unexpectedly at home. Expect differences. In there somewhere, though, try to find moments to enjoy each other.
Just about everything that would go into the recycle bin can be turned into a toy. Puzzles, books, barns, car garages, hippo habitat... it just takes some creativity. Luckily, children are great creators! They just need a little help.
With a little help, your little ones can help! There are so many ways to teach new concepts throughout the day. Just by talking about what you are doing, you are teaching! Here's another way to have little helpers and still get your household tasks completed.
If you're washing dishes every day, you're probably putting away dishes every day. With some precautions for safety, your children can handle this job!
How do you get your household tasks done when everyone is home all the time? You put them to work! Young children just need a little help from you to be safe while helping out.
Like Daniel Tiger says, "Everyone is big enough to do something!" |