All Things Early Intervention
February 27 is National Strawberry Day! I had planned to share my “Pete the Cat and His White Shoes” early intervention learning activities, complete with some fun strawberry-themed ideas. And I still will, but something unexpected happened and I got a little sidetracked.
This activity is more than just fun; it’s a powerful tool for promoting joint attention, fostering creativity, and building fine motor strength. It’s a simple concept that can be modified to meet the unique needs of each child.
Allowing children to use safe knives is more than just a fun activity. It’s an opportunity for them to develop skills and explore their senses. By encouraging their involvement in food preparation, we’re creating enriching sensory experiences that will benefit them for years to come.
By connecting play into book sharing, we can make reading a more enjoyable and meaningful experience for even the most reluctant toddlers.
If you’re a teacher or early interventionist wanting to help children develop their language skills:
Use play-based activities that go along with the books you read. Whatever book it is!
Read the books over and over again.
It’s not about creating elaborate sensory experiences every day. It’s about being mindful of the sensory opportunities that already exist and maximizing them. Encourage parents to embrace the mess, to slow down and allow their children to truly engage with their senses.
My own approach to dealing with challenging behavior is influenced by positive behavior support, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed care. It is a hodgepodge of trial and error, and I’d love to share the stories with you.
A stern voice, or even the word “no,” would trigger meltdowns. Thankfully, I discovered the magic of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, a children’s television show that offered practical solutions for navigating these situations.
This post explores the benefits of sensory play just for fun and how it can be incorporated into everyday interactions with children with and without special needs.
Through this Early Intervention to Piano Teacher transition, I have realized that the fundamental learning process of humans learning new skills is the same: language, walking, holding crayons, or playing piano.
All Things Early Intervention