Image courtesy of cooldesign at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Have you reminded your child we have to leave in 5 minutes? If you are a mom, teacher or anyone who works with children, I bet the answer is yes! Ok, one more question. Has that same child said "you never told me that we were going to leave!!!" I know if you have child with some sort of learning difference, that kind of scenario occurs at least once an hour when children are home in the summer. The problem is that this child isn't getting it! If I keep giving out information in a way he doesn't receive, there will be two frustrated individuals: the child and me!
If I want to communicate simple things like the schedule, I need to try a different way if what I am doing isn't bringing the end result: communication! Here are a few ideas:
Use a timer. We will leave when the timer rings. This is often a great tool for transitions.
Make sure that you get the child's attention. He should give you a little bit of eye contact and should turn toward you when you are talking to him. If he attends to you physically (turning his body and eyes toward you) , he is more likely to attend to the direction mentally(thinking and processing).
Ask the child, "what are we doing when the timer rings?" If he can't answer it, make sure you go back get his attention. He needs to be able to answer this question before you move on.
A visual schedule is important. It can use pictures, words or both. It can be as simple as a white board or chalk board with a list of activities. You can print pictures off of google images and put them on a chart and make it visual. Display this chart in a very visable location. When your children ask you questions about the schedule, you can save your voice and make them more independent by having them check schedule. In the beginning, you may need to walk them over to the chart. Honestly, they may ask you because it is easier and they don't have to focus in on the directions given at other times. Visual schedules can be a permanent chart or one that can be changed depending on the activities of the day. Put Velcro or magnets on those pictures and words if you want to change the chart.
These are some ideas to try if you need to find a better way to help your children comprehend the schedule and specific directions that you give all day long.
Posted with Blogsy