Fall is a fresh start - a chance to start clean - and many of us take that opportunity to reorganize or implement new routines. Routine is so important for learning, and with the limited time we have with students (20 minutes sometimes!), it can help us efficiently focus on student goals.
Well designed routines can support students emotionally, cognitively, and socially. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs informs our understanding of children’s needs. It follows that when children feel secure and know what to expect, they have fewer behavior problems and increased engagement in learning and practicing new skills.
Do students know what to expect when they spend their scheduled time with you? Does your routine support your goals, or do you spend too much time on extra steps like finding a sticker or moving things from one place to the next? A simple routine will be easier for students to understand, more likely to be learned quickly and followed consistently, and leave you more time for therapy!
SLPAs and paraprofessionals should always operate within the scope defined by state and national licensing organizations and should only conduct allowable tasks under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist.
