VIDBE-Q Volume 66 Issue 4
• Visit a public restroom and try to find the toilet, sink, soap, and wastebasket.
• Walk around the block and see if you can locate which house is yours when
you come back around. (Lots of good conversations here with your child
about landmarks, clues, and clues.)
Considerations for Various Levels of Development
Sensory Motor Level
There are tremendous resources available through Active Learning Space at
https://activelearningspace.org, to meet the needs of children at very early levels of
development. In addition, learning about basic interaction concepts and about
being in the moment together with your child are very helpful. The process of
shared attention and meeting your child where they are, whether sitting and
rocking or lying next to them on the floor is the foundation of relationship
building. Sharing these experiences through presence and imitation begins the
bonds of connection, trust, and expression. There are many strategies developed
for young people who are deafblind that are very helpful in increasing
communication and engagement in activities; these same strategies are also helpful
with young people who are primarily non-verbal, though they may not be
deafblind.