Teaching your child at home does not mean turning the house into a classroom. Everyday moments — play, meals, dressing and outings — are full of learning opportunities if we know how to use them.
Start with one or two goals
Choose a clear, specific goal with your specialist, such as “asks for water with a word or sign” or “puts on shoes with a little help”. Focusing on a few goals works better than trying to do everything at once.
Use daily routines
- Mealtimes: a chance to request and to choose between two things.
- Dressing: a chance to learn steps in sequence.
- Play: a chance for imitation and turn-taking.
- Tidying up: a chance for matching, sorting and following instructions.
Help, then fade the help
Start with the help your child needs to succeed, then reduce it gradually: from physical help, to pointing, to simply waiting. Make sure to reinforce success straight away.
Short, enjoyable daily sessions beat one long, tiring session a week.
Track progress
- Keep simple notes: did they do the skill? With how much help?
- Practise the skill with different people and places so the child can use it everywhere.
- Share your notes and short videos with your specialist to adjust the plan.