Strategy 3: Design Learning Experiences that are Meaningful to the Child

• Identify the child's likes and dislikes
• Use the child's preferences to make learning more meaningful and fun
• Determine the child's preferred sensory learning channels (see box to right) and learning styles
• Use age appropriate activities and materials
• Establish routines around daily activities
• Decide ahead of time what words and concepts you want to focus on during each routine
• Use hand under hand techniques, especially when introducing new activities
• Promote active participation and/or partial participation.

Things to consider

• Are activities designed around what the child likes rather than something you want the child to do?
• Is the child positioned in a manner that is both functional and comfortable?Is the Does the position support the child's ability to accomplish a task and make it easier for them to work?
• Does the environment facilitate the child's use of residual vision and hearing?
• Are you using the child's most alert times to engage in activities?
• Are the cues you are using specific to and appropriate for the child?
• Are all team members using the child's preferred communication and learning method(s)?
• Are you promoting active participation?
• Are you balancing the physical load with the cognitive load?

Always Ask Yourself