Functional Learning Objectives for Young Children with Special Needs

1. Functional Learning Objectives for Young Children with Special Needs

2. High Quality Objectives Many experts use the term “functional” to describe CA and developmentally appropriate learning goals and objectives. A functional objective: • Helps a child be successful and independent within their daily routines and across the day. • Reflects skills that other children of the child’s chronological age (CA) use on a regular basis. • Addresses skills or behaviors that children can learn in a variety of situations and in different ways. Material taken from Project Open House, Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney

3. Find the “Functional” objective (s): • 5 year old Robin will string 5, 1-inch beads on a string by herself. • 4 year old Traci will verbally respond to another child who asks her a question. • 5 year old Justin will follow 2-step directions provided by a familiar adult. • 3 year-old Rannon will stack 6 blocks on top of each other by himself. Material taken from Project Open House, Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney

4. Is That Your Final Answer? • If you think that objectives “2” and “3” are functional, you’re right! • Responding to another person who asks a question is an important skill that will help Traci interact with her peers and be part of the group. • Following multi-part directions is an important skill for Justin to learn because he’s going to need to do that when he goes to kindergarten. Material taken from Project Open House, Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney

5. What About Stringing Beads and Stacking Blocks? • Let’s talk about Robin’s and Rannon’s objectives. • Can Robin be successful in preschool or kindergarten if she can’t string beads? Will Rannon get along OK if he can’t stack blocks? Probably “yes”. • By themselves, string beads or stacking blocks don’t lead to other important skills or behaviors. Material taken from Project Open House, Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney

6. What are the skills “behind” stringing beads or stacking blocks? • However, stringing beads or stacking blocks depends on the ability to use two hands to accomplish a task or to have good fine-motor control. These are important skills that allow children to be successful in other settings. • How could you rewrite objectives for Robin or Rannon so that they are functional? Material taken from Project Open House, Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney

7. How about this??? • Instead of “stringing beads”… …Robin will use both of her hands to complete a task … Such as? ………………………… • Instead of “stacking block… …Rannon will …………? Material taken from Project Open House, Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney

8. Goal Documentation Sheet / Planning Matrix Child Name: Month/Year: , 2009 Goal 1: IEP IFSP IP Please attach any observations from CC.net that pertains to these goals. Use the empty spaces to plan when/where or what activity you will use to work toward the desired goal. (I.e. at circle time, small group time, outdoors, etc)

9. Lesson Plans Material taken from Project Open House, Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney