ROUTINES

In order to facilitate a success virtual experience, it is important that students begin to follow a daily routine. This can be accomplished using a visual schedule for best results. A visual schedule is simply a set of pictures that show what's coming next. You can create this on your own or ask your teacher for help if you are having difficulty with keeping your child in a routine. Not only does this help your child to reduce frustration by knowing what's ahead, it also helps them to understand that we work first, then play. It also gives you a chance to include fun activities or playtime on your schedule so students know they will get that opportunity when they finish their daily tasks.

SPACE

While this may be difficult depending on your home, try to set up a space where your child can learn. Best practices suggest a quiet environment where students can engage in the assigned activities with supervision. The goal is increasing independence, so keep that in mind when setting up the space. Have any items your child may use nearby, especially their Baby Buddy as this will be used for multiple activities.

SUPPORT

When working on assigned activities, most students will need supervision and occasional help with some activities. The activities assigned are designed to be done with minimal support from you at home, however, you know your child best. Try to ensure that someone is there to monitor during school activities and if you can, participate and model as well. You may try including things like shapes, colors, letters, etc. as tangible items help reinforce the skills taught during video lessons and activities. You can find some resources below and if need physical copies, reach out to your teacher and we'll be happy to provide that for you.

COMMUNICATION BOARD

This item (see below) is intended to be used as often as possible. It is essential our students learn a solid foundation for language and the Project CORE program provides this through the use of 36 unique words that are most used in the English language. Using this board to communicate in everyday situations allows our students to become familiar with these base words and can build on this for future communication needs. While it may seem simplistic, the research has shown us the importance of establishing a solid foundation before trying to introduce too many concepts at once. For more information regarding the CORE Project and how to use it, visit their webpage for more information. Your teacher will also provide you with some guidance on using this as consistently as possible. You will find a link to an online version of the communication board should you need it. It can be accessed below, or from the student page.

PATIENCE

We understand how difficult all of this change has been on our students with special needs who benefit most from the structure of a school environment. We also understand the need for flexibility and support. We are here for you. Please don't hesitate to let us know your needs and please exercise patience and understanding as we move forward through an unprecedented year. School may have changed in its delivery, but what hasn't changed is our dedication to ensuring our students experience success regardless of the learning situation.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Many skills such as socialization and peer interactions are extremely important and difficult to replicate with online learning. It is recommended to do your best to allow your child opportunities to talk to loved ones at home and through virtual calls. Encourage frequent conversations and emphasize what you want your child to do rather than focusing on negative behaviors and consequences. If your child is off task, refer to their schedule and say, "I see that you are not doing your work. We can take a break for now, but before we can do (preferred activity), we must do (current activity." Notice how this shifts the child from what they were doing to what they are supposed to be doing. This distinction along with the language you use, reinforces your child's "inner thoughts"; the inner-dialogue we all carry within us from an early age. What you say to your child now becomes what they think of themselves as they grow. Our focus is on fostering positive self-talk and de-escalation techniques to improve your child overall Social-Emotional Learning. Even when we return to in-person learning, it will be important to maintain consistency at home and at school. When children know what to expect, they carry less anxiety and frustration and have more control over themselves.