Samuel has been standing behind me, practically breathing down my neck as he eagerly awaits something that I told him I would work on tonight. The latest video he has been asking us to buy is "The Land Before Time." I am not exactly sure why he has become so interested in it, but it could be simply because it is a Universal Studios picture.
As Samuel was bothering me about buying this video for him yesterday I was busy thinking about getting him to finish a Language Arts workbook that we have been working on for some time. Actually, it has been sitting on a shelf collecting dust for the past 3 months while we took a little break from it (we started an on-line language arts curriculum in the meantime). Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head, "Tie these two things together!" I told Samuel that I would order him the video after he finishes the workbook. Later in the day he wanted to know when we were going to work in the workbook! He also asked me this several times today. Before jumping back into the workbook I printed out a punctuation worksheet on periods and question marks as a review of the last assignment he had done. Then, after he asked me about the workbook about 5 more times, I decided to add a visual element to tracking his progress; I would make a checklist.
We will put stickers on it as he completes each assignment. The movie promotional picture I put on it is freaking him out a bit, but at least he now will have a sense of how much longer it will take until he is finished. He wants to do some work tonight, but it's almost 9:00 and I am a bit tired!
8 comments:
Hi.
Could you send links to the online programs to me.
Curious. Maybe not for today... but down the road.
Thanks.
S.
Here is what I e-mailed to S:
http://www.time4learning.com/homeSchool-curriculum.htm
It's not designed for special needs or anything.. but I am very happy with how well Samuel focuses on it while working. It's very hard to get him to pay attention while working at a table or desk. He's doing 1st grade level work. Language arts is great, but math is tougher. The on-line quizzes are hard for him. I help him get through and am also doing some modified written worksheets to quiz him.
I just started this with Nathan this past week. He asks me to buy him a train and then gets himself all worked up each time he thinks about it.
I printed a chart that had a train and tracks to put stickers on. It's a potty chart but we're using it for helping out around the house (like putting away your trains for example!).
It's worked wonders. He totally understands he has to finish the chart and has been standing it front of it and cheering each time he gets closer to the train.
I'm so happy he took to this so quickly, it's been really great.
That's terrific Julee! It really is wonderful when you see your child with autism being motivated to reach a goal, and being able to take responsibility for doing the things he needs to in order to get to that goal.
Samuel's every day ordinary motivators tend to be snacks, time on the computer.. which is to get throught things like getting dressed, making his bed, etc. I'm all excited about this checklist because it is motivating him TO WORK IN HIS LANGUAGE ARTS WORKBOOK! This isn't something we see every day!
what a great idea! i bet it's cool 2 see Samuel eager 2 do some work! ;0)
btw...Jaden has a couple of the Land Before Time movies (VHS & DVD) but doesn't really watch them any more...if Samuel ends up enjoying the movie, let me know & i could send u some more
Welcome to my life! :) I am always thinking of something motivating that my students with autism can work towards. Congrats on finding his!
Using a child's interests as a natural motivater is usually very successful. They use my son's interests or obsessions, whatever you want to call them ; ),as rewards at school throughout the day as he completes work. We have also used his interests to teach him at home.
Charts are great too. I have never used one but think it would really help motivate my daughter to clean up after herself better. The ADD really makes it hard for her to stay focused long enough to complete things. She really likes getting stuff she wants and would probably do well with a chart to track how close she is to getting her reward : )
Thanks Gina, finding the right motivators is an ongoing challenge here as well. The outstanding ones that work with school work only come along occasionally.
QueenB, I'm sure my other three children (and I!) would benefit from a more visual system of keeping up with their responsibilities too!
Sharon, Thanks for the offer of the videos or DVD! I'll let you know if Samuel shows lots of interest. (I'm hoping his interest goes beyond just watching the opening and ending credits!)
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