When working with families I often use the phrase, provide the opportunity.

 What I mean by that is provide the opportunity to engage or read a book or take a walk.  The more opportunities your child has to practice his skills, the more likely he will be to reach his goals.  Parents and caregivers are providing learning opportunities all of the time without even thinking about it.  We have age appropriate toys and activities within reach in our home environments.  Those who travel, make sure that their children have items to entertain them along the way.  Trips to science centers, museums, theaters, and parks of all kinds provide great opportunities for kids to learn about the world around them.

Sometimes providing learning opportunities at home can be a challenge for parents and caregivers even though we have homes full of toys and activities.  In order to focus on a child’s specific language or engagement goals, we often need to model play behaviors.

As children play, they learn through repetition and social engagement.  They learn when they can observe others and also problem-solve themselves.  When our children learn within their daily routines and natural environments, it is typically incidental in nature.  Meaning that they are not formally being taught.  They learn to use the same language and engage with items in the same way that you do because they are observing and are imitating your behaviors.

When children are not imitating language or playing with toys as intended we, as teachers, therapists, and parents, find ways to provide more opportunities throughout their day to observe and practice these skills.

So how do we provide the opportunity for children to learn?

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