House Chores, Math, and Reading
Kids with Developmental Delays Learn Living Skills and Academics
Parents of children and tweens with developmental delays try to teach basic living skills as well as academics.
Parents of special needs children want to make sure that they reach their full potential in schoolwork, but they also want to make sure that they will be able to take care of themselves in the world. Here are some basic household chores that address both goals.
Sorting the Laundry Teaches Same-Different
When a child or tween learns to sort laundry by color, he is learning to recognize if an article of clothing is the same as those in a pile or if it is different. That will carry over to a similar, important skill as he reads. For example, the words fill and bill are obviously the same except for one letter. Picking up on the difference in the spelling (and knowing the sounds those letters make) make it possible to read the words. Sorting the laundry may be a necessity for having clean clothes, but it is also important pre-reading practice.
Setting the Table Teaches Counting and Patterns
If a child is taught the responsibility of setting the table, he is learning more than how to hasten the dinner time. He is learning to count how many people there are (and consequently how many spoons, forks, knives, napkins, plates, cups, etc. will be needed). He is also learning to create a pattern with the utensils. These skills carry over to the obvious skill of counting and to making patterns.
Seeing patterns is part of the skill needed to learn how to recognize patterns in words (such as bill and fill) and how to solve a math problem. For example, the child who understands to look for patterns in math learns to recognize that problems with parentheses require that the operation inside must be done first.
Making the Bed Teaches Sequence
When a child learns the order of making a bed, he is learning that sequence is critical in completing some activities. For example, it is important to straighten the sheets before putting the comforter on the bed. Without the step of straightening the sheets, the bed will not look “made” and it will not be ready to crawl into at bed time. By the same token, sequence is important in completing math problems. In multiplication problems with double digit, it is important to multiply all the digits first and then add the numbers.
Some academics may seem a ways down the road, but it is never too early to build important academic skills . . . and to learn every day living skills at the same time!
