All Things Early Intervention
Being a contract worker in early intervention has its advantages – flexibility, freedom, and the joy of making a difference. But it also requires financial responsibility and careful planning. By weighing the pros and cons, and implementing some smart saving strategies, we can ensure that our journeys as contract superheroes are filled with happy endings, not financial headaches.
This experience serves as a valuable lesson for anyone navigating rural addresses. Here are some strategies to ensure you arrive on time and avoid any “cornfield confusion”:
The most important thing is to remember that we, as home visitors, are strangers invading that dog’s space. His instinct, no matter his breed, is to protect his people. It is up to us to use caution.
Our name tags are a double-edged sword. They create an avenue for connection, but can also lead to unexpected consultations. Let’s talk about some best practices on and off duty.
I found myself telling him to stop and keep his hands to himself all day long. He did NOT understand. He was a sweet boy that tried his hardest, but bless his heart, he would not stop touching everything and everybody.
In Early Intervention, our job is to find that delicate balance between letting the child explore independently and gently guiding them to the next skill. We can root this “gentle dance” in two foundational learning theories
Every home has its own stuff. Learning how to use what you have to teach babies in their natural environment can be a creative puzzle.
At the end of each Early Intervention session, I recap, thinking, “What was the point?” I don’t leave until I let the family know the purpose of the visit. Being on the other side of Early Intervention, I realized that in those past home visits, I may have known what my intent was, but they did not. Now I make sure we both know.
When a child is having difficulty changing her behavior, try changing the environment.
Following these tips and embracing a “good enough” mentality can turn haircut day from a struggle into a regular routine to look forward to.
All Things Early Intervention