Functional play

Today, I am wrapping up my four part series on Structured Learning Strategies. I wanted to write this post weeks ago, but life got in the way, as it often does! What is Visual Structure? Visual structure adds a physical or visual component to tasks to assist students in understanding HOW an activity should be completed. Because students with ASD are less likely to be successful with only verbal directions, visual structure adds a tangible component to an activity to increase meaning and…

If a student is unable to play with toys during structured leisure time independently, play supports are a great strategy.

play skills

Building Functional Pretend Play Centers in an Pre-K Classroom

Teaching our students to play independently is such an important functional skill! First, if a student can play independently at school, then it can give teachers/staff the time to prep materials for the next activity, to pull small groups or to do 1:1 instruction. At home, independent play is just as important! If a child is able to play independently, then a parent can cook a meal or shower without being interrupted! I know a lot of teachers don't take the time to teach independent play…

Playing games in the classroom has always been something I enjoy. You have the opportunity to work on so many different skills, turn taking, communication, collaboration, problem solving etc. In fact a few years ago we played Monopoly every Friday. The kids did everything, set up the room, game board, pass out the money, pick their pieces and get started. At the beginning of the year it took almost 25 of the 30 minutes to achieve this but by the end of the year the kids were getting a solid…

Are you looking for some fun activities to teach body parts to toddlers and preschoolers? Here are my favorite books, songs, and activities!

Free Printable Labels for the pretend food in your dramatic play center. Perfect for Preschool and Kindergarten to help keep your dramatic play center neat and organized!

Designed by 100architects,Horse Land is a sport and play area merged in a colorful horse-shaped landscape. It is a public space project comprising a combination of landscape design and different ou…

Yuri Suzuki is a sound artist, designer and electronic musician. He explores the realms of sound through exquisitely designed pieces that examine the relationship between people and sound questioning how both music and sound effect the mind. Yuri Suzuki has exhibited his installations and sound artworks around the world.