What Is Special Instruction? Part 2

This is the second part of a series diving into the answer to that question using the Division of Early Childhood Position Statement as a reference: What Is Special Instruction

Curriculum Planning

Special Instruction includes four functions, according to the DEC position paper. The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention includes:

• The designing of learning environments and activities that promote the child’s acquisition of skills in a variety of developmental areas, including cognitive processes and social interactions,
• Curriculum planning, including the planned interaction of personnel, materials, and time and space, that leads to achieving outcomes in the child’s individualized family service plan,
• Providing families with information, skills, and support related to enhancing the skill development of the child; and
• Working with the child to enhance the child’s development

This post will focus on how special instruction includes, “curriculum planning including the planned interactions of personnel, materials, and time and space, that leads to achieving the outcomes in each child’s Individualized Family Service Plan.”

Special Instruction Curriculum Planning in a Classroom; supporting the teacher

The average child care provider in my state does not have a college degree; if they do, it is probably not even related to children. They may not want to be teachers, but it is the only job they can find. Who knows what brought them to childcare? The average teacher I work with may not know how to teach a child who doesn’t automatically learn things, just like the other children in the class.

When working with a child in a classroom setting, I usually spend the first session observing and talking to the teacher. I have used the SATIRE interview by Robin McWilliam to stimulate conversation.

Typical tasks of curriculum planning as a special instructor include…

• embedding IFSP goals in lesson plans and learning activities.
• embedding IFSP goals in daily routines.
• modifying learning activities to meet the child’s needs.
• creating additional activities that can be fun for all children, but especially the child I’m working with.
• Special Instruction Curriculum Planning in Home Setting

Curriculum Planning in Home-Based Early Intervention Service?

There may not be a formal curriculum or lesson plan in a home-based Early Intervention service, but I do plan my activities ahead of time. I use conversations with family to guide my activity planning, and I use my relationship with the family to guide how much information they need and want about that activity planning. Some parents want to know EVERYTHING, but some parents need to be fed information one bit at a time.

I look forward to providing more information about how I do this as this blog grows and grows in the future.How do you use curriculum planning as a special instructor? Leave a comment below!