• Home
  • About
  • FREE Resource Library
  • Blog
  • Complete List of Products
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • My Downloads
    • My Cart
    • Checkout
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

Special Needs for Special Kids

Providing you tools to save time and build confidence teaching students with the most significant disabilities

July 1, 2019

Age Appropriate Activities and Reinforcers

We have all been there.  We slip in that Barney video so we can catch our breath and give our students a much needed sensory break.  But have you wondered if there are other things you could try?  Is that Barney video really the best we can do?

So why is it important that we try to choose age appropriate materials for our students?

1. Save it for home

We should try to save those Barney videos for home.  I have a son who is 22 with significant disabilities, and he spends much of his time at home on his iPad watching Sesame Street videos.  When he was in school, he could not wait to get home and watch them, because he was not allowed to watch them while at school.  I was so thankful.  It made my life a lot easier at home. 

Plus, thanks to his teachers, I learned that he also liked some more age appropriate things like music videos and Scooby Doo.  (I know, still a bit of a stretch, but much better than Elmo and Big Bird.)  So, if we can leave the toys and young viewing material at home, it will make it easier on the parents, and we may uncover some new interests as well.

2. Be patient

Be patient. This does not happen over night.  Our students are often VERY attached to their reinforcers.  If you are lucky enough, you can start right from the beginning not having those as part of the school environment.  But, if this is a change you are looking to make after letting it slide for a few years, then realize it will take some planning and gradual fading away of those beloved favorites.  You can always start with an alternating system.  They choose, then you choose.  Or, you can set a timer for when it is time to switch.  However you plan to eliminate those reinforcers and activities that you feel are no longer appropriate, give yourself at least 4-6 weeks to see substantial progress. 

Don’t know where to start? I have put together a list of reinforcers categorized by age. It is a great tool to refer to when you have no idea what to try next.

Download it by clicking the button below.

3. Start early

Start early!!  If you teach in an elementary setting, think about starting to fade some of those preschool toys and activities by the time your students are entering third grade.  Many of us have classrooms with a large span of ages, so this is not always easy.  But, with careful planning and clear visual boundaries, you can start moving your older students away from those preschool favorites and start replacing them with more age appropriate choices.  Boy, will your middle and high school teachers thank you!!

So, what can you do right now?

Download the list below that has over 100 different ideas you can use for reinforcement in your classroom.   

Remember, why should we use age appropriate activities and reinforcers?

  1. It makes the less appropriate ones more powerful at home, which parents will thank you for.  Plus, you may find totally new things that excite your students.
  2. It will take some time and planning, so start early.
  3. If you teach in elementary school, start about grade 3.  That way when  your students get to middle and high school they will already have some more appropriate activities they enjoy during their down time.

Pin me for later…

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous
Next

SHOP

Check out my resources

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Hi!

I'm Christa Joy

My mission is to give parents and teachers the tools they need in order to feel effective and confident teaching even the most challenging of students.
Read More

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

New on the Blog

Best strategies for behavior management: a roundup of 10 posts and helpful downloads

California Gold Rush for kids in special education classrooms

Hands-on activities for rocks and minerals in a special education classroom

My Shop

Complete curriculum units in math, ELA, science, social studies as well as social story units for students Pre-K through high school.

SHOP NOW

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Join our Newsletter

Sign up for access to the free library!

It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet It's another Wednesday, and another free worksheet. Have you ever had your students write a story? This is a great way to start. Download the free worksheet this week and get your students writing a story about their perfect day. Message me for the link or go to my bio. Download it here: https://bit.ly/2OW3lmQ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
What does your perfect day look like? Give your s What does your perfect day look like? Give your students a chance to describe their perfect day using either their own words and pictures or choosing from some that are provided. If you want to get this worksheet free this Wednesday then send me a DM and I will get you the info. #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #myperfectday
Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior Who has the time to hunt down the perfect behavior strategy or social story? I know parents are teachers are BUSY!! . So, I pulled together my top 10 blog posts that contain strategies for behavior management in the classroom, home, and the community. Al in one easy-to-find place and clickable list. . It includes: Attention Seeking Behavior: Strategies for the classroom Power Cards: an effective behavior management tool Dealing with profanity in the classroom Picture schedule for home: An effective and easy tool for behavior management How to solve this common behavior problem Escape behavior interventions for school and home Being a Good Sport Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 1 Community Trips & Challenging Behaviors Part 2 Safety in the community for the individual, you, and the public. . The best part! They ALL have a free download to help you out, NOW, when you need it most. . Send me a DM for the link, or read more here: https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/2021/02/22/best-strategies-for-behavior-management-a-roundup-of-10-posts-and-helpful-downloads/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #behaviormanagement #behaviorstrategies
This year.... I stepped back from making new resou This year.... I stepped back from making new resources this year so I could spend time updating, expanding, and (honestly) improving some older units. With almost 800 resources this is a BIG commitment. It will likely take me all of 2021 to get through my novel units. But I am determined and know it will be worth it in the long run for YOU. For teachers who work with those students who are the MOST severely impacted. That is where my 💕 lies. With those teachers who are determined to do what no one thinks is possible. I want you to have the best tools possible so you can focus your attention, time and energy on teaching and not hunting for resources. It may be a long year, but I am devoted to this mission and these teachers. #specialneedsforspecialkids #specialeducationteacher #specialedteacher
FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads adde FREE for you ❤️️. . Three new downloads added to the Free Resource Library. A little ELA, a little math, and a little life skills practice. . Something for everyone. Click the link in my bio. Find this image, and head over. . Need the password? Message me to sign up. . https://specialneedsforspecialkids.org/resource-library/ #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeresourcelibrary #distancelearning
FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free w FREE FREE FREE FREE FREE . There is a GREAT free worksheet this Wednesday. The digital version has an additional step for students to complete. ❤️️💚💙 . Want the link? Just MESSAGE ME, and I will send you the direct link to the worksheet so you can use it today!! #specialneedsforspecialkids #freeworksheetwednesday #distancelearning
Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? N Is the California Gold Rush in your curriculum? Need some ideas on how to make this work for students in a special education setting with significant challenges? . I have ideas on books, activities, vocabulary, assessment, and MORE!! With the right materials, this can be a fun time period to teach about. . Head over to my latest blog post for some great ideas and a free panning for gold activity you can download. . Click the link in my bio or DM me for the link. #specialneedsforspecialkids #californiagoldrush #socialstudiesteacher
I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating a I wanted to let everyone know I am DONE updating and expanding James and the Giant Peach :). . I have separated it into 2 separate units. One is completely in color and one is complete in black and white. . I also added comprehension questions. There are 3 questions for each chapter (these chapters are so short) with 3 picture answer choices. . Remember, if you already own it, you get all these updates for free. . DM me for the direct link to check it out 🙂 #specialedteacher #jamesandthegiantpeach #roalddahl
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Special Needs for Special Kids · Hello You Designs