Parents are often looking for suggestions on how to keep their child interested in school and on grade level or increasing their skills. School is very overwhelming and stifling when it comes to your child’s daily interaction. They must follow school expectations, sit in their seats for a certain time frame and remain quiet. After school they need to be able to wind down and complete their school requirements, but participate in extracurricular activities and have fun.
A routine is a must for all of us. We crave structure and boundaries even if we think we don’t. Create a morning and after school routine on the day children start their first day of school. They will become more and more independent as they age and will follow the routine out of habit. Have their backpack and belongings always put in the same place. The more you do the less they will have to do and become more dependent and less independent. Below are a few ideas to incorporate into their schedules.
- Have them read every single day for a certain amount of time. Small children can use a timer and look at the pictures in a book and describe what they see.
- Older children will read with you or to you based on their ability level. This should be a fun time not a frustrating time.
- Take turns reading so they can improve their fluency and increase their comprehension and they can listen to how you read hear.
- Ask questions along the way including what could happen, or why do you think that happened, or what would you have liked to happen.
- Take your child with you when shopping. Have them help you. Younger children find things on the shelf or find the right aisle.
- Older children can create a list ahead of time and sort into categories. They can add up dollar amounts and subtract coupons.
- If you are baking include them in the process. They can get the ingredients, measure, mix and bake.
- Wrapping presents requires materials and measuring or guessing the appropriate amount of wrapping paper and tape needed.
- Have children write thank you cards. Writing cards is a forgotten component, but children need practicing their writing.
- Have children keep a writing journal. Every day they can draw a picture or write a sentence to a paragraph. At the end of a time period they have a keepsake.
Family Activities:
Take a nature walk and explore. Go to the beach and explore. Take the pets for a walk. Listen to music and sing out loud. Dance!!!! Make meals together. Watch a movie with popcorn of course. Have a picnic in the living room on rainy days. Roast marshmallows outside when it’s dark. Lay outside in sleeping bags or on blankets and count the stars. Catch fireflies and then let them go.
As a self- contained teacher, I always sent home a daily note for the parent to know what happened during the day. This promotes home conversation about school, at home. I always personalize or add new items if parents request, or I want to communicate something else. As a parent of a non-verbal child, you have every right to request something similar to this, so you know what your child is doing.
MY DAY
Daily Parent/Teacher Communication Note
From Mrs. John
Student:__________Date:_____________
My Communication Celebration for today is:
_________________________________________________.
I ate Breakfast ____ I used the bathroom:
Lunch _______ yes______, no_____, accident______
Snack_______
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I felt happy(green)______, sad(blue)______, upset(red)______ at school.
Notes___________________________________________.
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My Body was in control today._____
Today I: Today I struggled with:
Listened____ Listening____
Looked ____ Looking ____
Sat in my seat ___ Sitting ____
Speaking nicely___ Had a quiet mouth _____
Kept my hands to myself __ Hurt others ____
Worked _____ Did not work ___
I visited the calming corner/room. ____
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I participated in/completed: Morning Meetup___ ,My Binder_____,
Reading____,Math____,Writing___, Social Skills___, Recess_____,
Inclusion (as applicable): Reading______ Math______.
Cultural Arts: P.E.__, Media__, Tech__, Music__, P.E.___
Adaptive P.E.____Speech_____, O.T._____, P.T.____,Assembly____.
Assessments: reading______ math: _____.
There was a fire drill today ______ Other drills today _______
I was okay ______ I was afraid _______
Homework for tonight/this week ______________________________.
Teacher Notes/Reminders:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent requests/comments:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________.
Parent Signature:_ __________________________________