This is the fourth in a four-part series “What is special instruction?” It comes from the DEC position statement on Special Instruction “The Role of Special Instruction in Early Intervention.”
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
What is special instruction? Working with child to enhance child development.
Working with a child to enhance child development is where I get to PLAY with those babies. Get hands-on! Experiment with different strategies. Observe. Try something new. Teach. Provide learning opportunities. This is the part we are most likely to think about when we think of early intervention, but it is actually only one part of what a special instructor does. Because I’m a teacher at heart, I love this part though.
Examples of activities that promote child development include
- Facilitating play with a peer
- Facilitating play with toys (Posts about Toys)
- Singing a song with actions (Music in Early Intervention)
- Reading a book with pictures (play inspired by books)
- Following a child’s lead
- Initiating a game
- Redirect challenging behaviors (challenging behaviors)
- Modeling language
- Vocal play
- Gentle stretching of muscles
- Rough and tumble play
- Snuggle and soothe
- Play outside
- Do art activities (arts and craft play)
This blog is going to be filled with specific child development-promoting activities. I can’t wait to see it grow. What are some other ways you work with a child to enhance his development?
All Things Early Intervention 