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!" Do you ever wonder whey preschool teachers sing so often? It's a great way to engage children in an activity while also teaching new concepts.
Here's a song for you to add to your hand washing routine! Water play doesn't just happen at school in the sensory tub, or at home in the bathtub. Washing dishes happens at my house every day, probably at yours too. Let your children 'help' right along side you. They'll stay busy and have a great time. You can do this every single day! Water play never gets boring.
Not every child loves to spend endless time sitting on your lap and reading. Some don't even want to spend two minutes sitting for a structured book activity. Here are some ideas about how to set up reading time to increase interactions and success. Give it a try, but know that it is okay for story time to last only 1 minute when you first start establishing a routine.
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