Lesson Plans

1. Responding to Name.pdf

Each lesson looks similar to this sample. It outlines the goal of the skill, the instructions to give when teaching the skill, and specific feedback for a correct, incorrect, or no response. It also tells you how to mark the data sheet with either an “I” for independent or “P” for prompt based on the child’s response.

All lesson plans are available for download through the PLS Lessons folder.

Be sure to provide many opportunities for the children to practice. Use the Teaching Opportunities for Each Lesson to guide you.

PLS Teaching Opportunities for Each Lesson

Teaching Opportunities for Each Lesson

This document provides ideas for different situations to practice each of the 13 Preschool Life Skills with children. There are example opportunities listed for each of the skills. It is recommended that you provide multiple practice opportunities per day during the first few days of teaching each skill.

Practice Scenario

Circle time in a preschool. A male teacher is sitting in a chair while a group of preschoolers sit in a semi-circle on the carpet. The teacher is calling on a student raising his hand.

the hands of a child are playing with two cars on a table top.

A woman is sitting at a table smiling at two preschool children.

Let's teach a group of preschoolers how to respond when their name is called. Use the "Responding to Name" Lesson Plan for guidance.

Introduce the skill to all the children during circle time.

"We are going to play a fun game! Here are the rules, when I call your name, stop what you are doing, look at me, and respond 'Yes'."

Model it.

"Watch us try it!" Give the other adult a toy to interact with before calling their name. "Miss Curtis!" Deliver feedback after the other adult responds. "Great job listening and looking Miss Curtis! You can keep playing with your toy now." Address the class again, "Did you see how Miss Curtis looked at me and said 'yes' when I called her name? Let's see if you can do it!"

Give out toys for the children to play with while remaining in the circle time area.
Call each child's name, one at a time, with about 10 seconds in between each trial.

For example, I call "Jerry" and he looks at me and responds "yes." I respond with the feedback "Thanks for listening and looking, Jerry!"
Next, I call "Shaylyn" and she looks in my direction but does not respond "yes." I give feedback and say "when I call your name, look at me and respond 'yes.' Lets try again!" I wait a few seconds and then repeat "Shaylyn." This time, she looks at me and responds "yes." I give the feedback "Thanks for listening and looking, Shaylyn!"
Next, I call "Emma" and she does not look at me or respond with "yes." I then get her attention by saying her name while tapping her shoulder to make sure she knows I'm talking to her. I give the feedback "when I call your name, look at me and respond 'yes.' Lets try again!" I wait a few seconds and then repeat "Emma." Emma still does not look at me or say responds "yes." I remind her "when I call your name, look at me and respond 'yes'. Let's try again later." I remember to practice the skill at other times of the day. Keep it positive and do not make it a demand. Consider having something to show the child to get their interest.

Wrap-up the skill.

"Thank you for playing this game with me! We might play this game again at different times today, so be ready to look at me and respond 'yes' if you hear me call your name!"

Dismiss the children to the next activity.
Provide plenty of opportunities to practice this new skill throughout the day and continue to provide feedback after each learning opportunity.
Do a "Booster Teaching."

At various times while teaching the Preschool Life Skills, return to the ones that were more difficult to learn. Reteach them like you did the very first time and provide more intentional opportunities for practicing those skills. This ensures they will be maintained and not forgotten.

Bonus: Take data

Check out the Data Collection page for data sheets, information on how to collect data on the PLS, and an example of what data collection looks like in practice.

Communication Considerations

The Preschool Life Skills lessons often reference verbal responses. However, children may use a variety of communication methods. If a child is not able to verbally respond with "yes," you may use alternative forms of communication such as a thumbs up, picture card, button, or AAC device. Teachers should adapt responses to align with each child’s communication needs. The goal is learning skills—not a specific response form.

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