ESDM Online
Click the video for a brief welcome message!
Connect, Communicate, and Learn
Active Ingredients for Change
Young children learn best when having fun. Whether it is play, bath, meal time, or another routine, each moment can involve the ESDM to help children connect, communicate, and learn. See how you can get started with the ESDM with your child or the families whom you support in an early childhood learning environment.
Quick Tip
Find out how to use tips from the ESDM for early social-communication skills important to life-long learning, behavior, and health with your child or with families whom you support in an early childhood learning environment.
Click the video icon (to the left) for the latest Quick Tip video.
Want more of this week's Quick Tip? Click the video icon above!
Latest News
Read monthly research about intervention outcomes for children with or at risk of autism; coaching supports for their families; and/or family-centered, culturally inclusive coaching tools to help early childhood professionals support families. Each monthly article is publicly available for free access.
This month’s Latest News compared two different early intervention approaches for teaching spoken language to preschoolers with autism and found children’s language improved in both groups and without requiring a 40-hour-per-week therapy program.
The “brand name” of interventions may be less important than these key characteristics of high-quality interventions:
1. A manualized, evidence-based approach that assesses children frequently and teaches to developmental and behavioral needs across all domains.
2. Developmental and behavioral science in treatment content and delivery.
3. Extensive training and ongoing supervision of fidelity to deliver accurate, consistent treatment.
4. Treatment needs into everyday activities by coaching parents and other important caregivers regularly.
Click the article (to the right) to read more.
Read monthly research about intervention outcomes for children with or at risk of autism; coaching supports for their families; and/or family-centered, culturally inclusive coaching tools to help early childhood professionals support families. Each monthly article is publicly available for free access.
The “brand name” of interventions may be less important than these key characteristics of high-quality interventions:
1. A manualized, evidence-based approach that assesses children frequently and teaches to developmental and behavioral needs across all domains.
2. Developmental and behavioral science in treatment content and delivery.
3. Extensive training and ongoing supervision of fidelity to deliver accurate, consistent treatment.
4. Treatment needs into everyday activities by coaching parents and other important caregivers regularly.
Click the article (to the right) to read more.
Play of the Month
Play not only brings smiles to children's faces but also helps them learn, feel good about themselves, and enjoy the interaction that comes from doing something with someone. Join me each month for Play of the Month to try with your child or the families whom you support in early intervention or other early childhood learning environments.
This month’s theme shares play and language ideas with one of my top favorite household items to use as a toy- a salad spinner! Choose the different play level most appropriate for your child or the children and families you support in an early childhood learning environment.
Pay attention to what children like (or seem curious about) and follow their lead as long as you are a part of the action, too. Remember, the most important thing is for children to have fun doing this with you! Fun means engagement and that excites children's brains and bodies for meaningful learning to happen.
1) Simple Play- (one-step actions)
- Push the buttons on the top of the salad spinner to start and stop the spinning. ("You pushed it." "It’s spinning." "It stopped.")
- Put the top on the salad spinner. ("Lid." "The lid is on.")
- Take the top off of the salad spinner. ("The lid came off." "It’s open.")
- Take the basket in and out of the spinner. ("The basket is in. It came out.")
2) Combination Play- (multiple toys and actions)
- Put small toys or pretty much anything that fits (balls, blocks, puzzle pieces, squeeze food pouch caps, or plastic spoons) in the salad spinner and watch it spin. ("The ball is in." "The pieces are spinning." "They’re spinning fast!")
- Use the basket in the sink or a sandbox. You can sift through the water or sand to get toys or other items in the basket. ("The basket is full." "The toys are covered." "We’re shaking the basket." "You found a toy!")
- Spin and string through scarves, pipe cleaners through the slots of the basket.
- Place a paper plate in the bottom of the salad spinner. Add drops of paint all around the surface of the paper plate. When you are satisfied with the amount of paint, close up the salad spinner tightly. Get spinning!
3) Advanced Play- (pretend play)
- Pretend the salad spinner is a washing machine. ("My clothes are wet." "The soap is in the machine." "The socks are spinning." "We’re washing the clothes." "Now my shirt is dry.")
- Pretend the salad spinner is an amusement park ride or a merry-go-round. You can put pretend people and animals in the salad spinner and give them a ride. ("The tiger climbed in." "The girl is sitting." "The animals are having fun!" "The people are spinning fast." "The ride stopped.")
© 2019 ESDM Online
