How Are Activities and Routines Used as Opportunities to Support Peer Interaction?
When trying to create opportunities for peer interaction, teachers and other caregivers need to ask themselves a few questions such as: • What social skills goals do I have for the individual children in my class? What are my expectations for the children in my care? • What do I typically do with, or for, the children? • Could a child do this “job?” • Is this activity something that happens frequently? This question is important because we want to create opportunities that occur often, thus providing a wealth of opportunities over the course of a day, week, month, and school year. • Can I ensure that support will be available so that all children can be successful in carrying out this task? By asking these questions and looking at their daily schedule, caregivers can identify opportunities during natural activities and routines to support or encourage peer interactions. Ms. Judy and her classroom team have used these strategies successfully through the passing out of the suns before si
