Practicing at Home
You would like your child to practice at home between two sessions of speech therapy or psychometrics, but you don’t really know how to proceed because he is easily distracted and does not follow your instructions? Here are a few pointers to help you make home practicing sessions easier.
Always at the same place
If the size of your house allows it, it is best to pick one room for these sessions to take place in, where he will not be distracted by anything. But if you live in a small flat like I do, such an arrangement is not possible. Thus, the solution is to choose one spot that is especially devoted to practicing, one where he usually does not play.
Matthieu and I settle on the parental bed so we have enough room, can sit cozily and set to work. I generally take advantage of his brother’s naptime to pick a game and practice (beads, stickers, construction blocks, dominos, lotto, and so on).
Always at the same time
Easier said than done… But I have noticed that after lunch, while his brother is asleep and the two of us are by ourselves, Matthieu is the most responsive and the least unruly.
Digestion seems to keep him calmer; he does not run off every five minutes, and his brother is not there, trying to take part and distracting him. We use this time for quiet games; he plays by himself if he knows the rules or with me if I want to teach him new ones.
Stimulation through play
There nothing duller to a child than having to work. But if you turn the work session into a game, he will immediately be more cooperative. If you keep him interested, the job is done, and he will get to work all the more easily every time.
Rely on his interests
In order to make sure he is interested in what you want to teach, try to find material that is connected to his interests. Matthieu’s unending love for figures and letters makes me give priority toactivities involving the alphabet, counting or numbering.
Congratulations and rewards
Your child is not yet able – and who knows if he will ever be? – to study for pleasure, or study to please you, or because he wants to learn. This is why a generous amount of congratulations, applause or rewards is necessary. It is possible to agree upon it beforehand: promising a piece of candy if exercises are done properly or a toy after a whole week of effort. You’re the only judge of that.
Talk about it
Especially when your child is around! When you are on the phone with friends or family, tell them what a good job he’s been doing. His drawings should be displayed prominently, where everybody can see them; help your child send them to grandparents, use a chart to record the progress he’s making. Your child must see that his efforts and progress have been noticed and acknowledged.
Translation: Aurélie
