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Choices

Choices Example 1

Abraham's skill to learn is to Label Objects.
Abraham and his teacher are together
His teacher sets things up by holding the toy food out of Abraham's reach.
Abraham shows interest by reaching for the food to feed his toy animals.
His Teacher responds by asking Abraham to choose, "Which one do you want? The corn or the banana?"
Abraham said, "Corn."
Abraham gets a natural reward by receiving the food to feed his animals.

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Choices Example 2

Albert's skill to learn is to Label Objects.
Albert and his teacher are together
His teacher sets things up by placing the materials in the center of the table.
Albert shows interest by reaching for the pine cones.
His teacher responds by asking Albert to choose from all the materials on the table, "What is that, do you know?"
Albert says, "A pinecone."
Albert gets a natural reward by receiving the pine cone to look at.

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Time to Stop and Think

Were you able to see how the child showed interest in each example?

How did the adult respond to create a teaching opportunity?

Are there other things the adult could have done to set things up or to respond differently in these two examples?

How might you use choices to help your child build a skill?

• What skill would you want your child to build?
• How might you set things up to create a teaching opportunity for your child using choices?

Here are some examples of possible teaching opportunities. For each child, can you think of ways to create successful teaching opportunities using choices?

1. Carlos's skill to learn is to name colors. There are three trucks on a shelf in the Carlos's bedroom. They are all the same except one is green, one is red and one is blue. They are out of Carlos' reach, but he is trying to get one.

2. Michael's skill to learn is to communicate what he wants by pointing. Michael does not speak or walk. It is time for table activities. The adults have put paints and easels, PlayDoh© and the sand table at the centers.

3. Carrie's skill to learn is to ask for help when needed. Carrie wants to go outside to play and is holding her coat by the classroom door.

4. Sonja's skill to learn is to identify shapes using words. Sonja wants to sponge paint. Her mother has several sponges of different shapes.