ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES
Following sequential instructions:
Life is full of instructions; how to do something, being safe, what not to do and so on. Your child with dyspraxia may have issues when it comes to understanding or following instructions correctly. Instructions follow a sequence which means they need to be performed in a specific order to do them correctly. This activity will be teaching and learning based. You will be the teacher, your child the learner. The goal of this activity is for your child to be able to understand and follow a set of instructions independently. This will support what your child is learning in school.
How to teach ‘Following instructions’:
It is important that your child understands the concept of following a sequence in a logical order so that it makes sense.
Is it too easy?
Life is full of instructions; how to do something, being safe, what not to do and so on. Your child with dyspraxia may have issues when it comes to understanding or following instructions correctly. Instructions follow a sequence which means they need to be performed in a specific order to do them correctly. This activity will be teaching and learning based. You will be the teacher, your child the learner. The goal of this activity is for your child to be able to understand and follow a set of instructions independently. This will support what your child is learning in school.
How to teach ‘Following instructions’:
- Find a set of instructions, preferably in a paragraph. If you can only find a list this is fine just cover up the numbers. Print or write the paragraph instructions out in a large font. If using a paragraph or list cut the instructions up and change the order.
- Your child then has to read the instructions, comprehend them, and finally put them in an order that makes sense to them.
- Once this is completed ask your child why they think they are correct, check them against the original instructions. If they are correct, congratulate them on a great job. If they are not, explain why the instructions should be changed and why that order is correct.
It is important that your child understands the concept of following a sequence in a logical order so that it makes sense.
Is it too easy?
- You can make the instructions longer, increase the number of steps in the sequence, or more complex with additional words.
- Use instructions for things that your child may not be familiar with, for example, a new board game.
- Reduce the number of steps in the sequence, or choose an action they are familiar with, for example teeth brushing. If words are confusing they can be supported with pictures.
Note taking skills:
This is an important skill for any middle school child. To give your child the ability to produce organized, neat notes will help them immensely. This activity provides them with a simple way to practice note taking. This activity follows an educational approach to therapy. Yourself or a therapist/teacher are providing your child with information and skills that will improve their ability to be a better student.
How it helps:
How to teach: 'Note taking': your child will need a notebook, pen/pencil, and a ruler
Is it too easy:
Too much of a challenge:
This is an important skill for any middle school child. To give your child the ability to produce organized, neat notes will help them immensely. This activity provides them with a simple way to practice note taking. This activity follows an educational approach to therapy. Yourself or a therapist/teacher are providing your child with information and skills that will improve their ability to be a better student.
How it helps:
- This method of taking notes is visually neat and organized, your child will be able to see the exact areas they need to make notes.
- It is quick and easy to do, and can be put in any notebook.
- It encourages your child to separate one lesson from the other.
- This is a time saver.
- Your child will be able to organize their notes effectively and record the information they need to.
- Your child will become more independent when taking notes in class.
- Your child will be more confident when listening to the teacher as they are more prepared to learn.
How to teach: 'Note taking': your child will need a notebook, pen/pencil, and a ruler
- Highlight the layout of the notebook right hand page (input); lesson title, notes, connections, and summary, on the left hand page (output); your child demonstrates understanding of what they have learned in the lesson, they reflect upon the notes they have made.
- Your child should physically draw the note template into their notebook, using a pen/pencil and rules. Make sure that the margin on the right hand page is wide enough to get notes in, but not so wide that it takes up too much of the page.
- Give the child an information sheet about a topic they are interested in and guide them through taking notes, highlighting to them areas they need to cover.
- After they have taken notes on the right hand page, discuss the content and then have them write down what they have learned.
Is it too easy:
- Increase the amount information that the child has to take notes from. Read them information and have them take notes on what you are saying.
Too much of a challenge:
- Reduce the amount of information, give the child verbal cues as they progress through their notes.