VIDBE-Q Volume 64 Issue 4
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must be made for the differences in knowledge and skills necessary for
teachers completing these assessments when the child being assessed is
an infant or toddler in a home environment compared to a child in an
academic school-based setting.
Both DEC Recommended Practices and the BVI Specialty Set
consist of a section focused on environments. Not surprisingly, there is
alignment between these areas; however, there is a distinct difference in
focus. DEC Recommended Practices describe approaches that encourage
active engagement within a natural environment to promote access
throughout daily living. The BVI standards focus on the need for
multisensory engagement as a means to promote engagement. Both
approaches have value for very young children. Further, BVI standards
highlight the need for adults to take advantage of opportunities for
incidental learning; however, further consideration suggests that this
teaching opportunity is indicative of learning within natural environments.
Therefore, there appears to be similar recommendations for the use of
teaching approaches which prioritize active engagement of children
especially within the context of naturally occurring activities of daily living.
DEC Recommended Practices highlight Instruction while the BVI
specialty set describes knowledge and skills in the area of Development
