Assistive Tech.

This is my first year in a Preschool classroom as a teacher. In the past, I have not been introduced to many forms of assistive technology. In my classroom I have a child who is in a wheelchair, and her sister has an auditory device. On a daily basis I have help the child with the auditory device because she is unable to hook it on by herself. At times, she actually takes it off because she went two years without hearing and now she is having to get used to hearing sounds. When it gets noisy, she tends to unhook it by herself. In my room we do not have to use larger keyboards for visually impaired or anything like that. The books we are making that will include voice and easy access to click to turn the pages is an awesome idea. I look forward to using these in the classroom. I think that children would even like to be the "teacher" for the day to actually click the buttons while the class observes. It would also be great during center time. In the future I plan on using these books in several ways. I have thought about making books that just has colors with me stating the colors to help those children who do not know their colors yet. Computers are great for kids and they may be willing to work harder towards using them educationally if they start at earlier ages. In the future I hope to learn about additional assistive technology ideas so I can incorporate them into the classroom.

Reference:
Cook, Ruth E., Klein M. Diane, & Tessier, Annette. (2008). Adapting Early Childhood Curricula for Children with Special Needs (7th Edition). Columbus, OH: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Task An.

The task that John has the hardest time completing is coming in from the school van and putting his belongings in his cubby including his jacket. John tends to throw his bag down at the door, then his coat down, then he starts playing. John always forgets to wash his hands first. My goal will be for John to get from the School Van to breakfast by following directions.

My picture cards will show:
1.John arriving on the van
2.John walking into the classroom
3.John putting his bag into his cubby
4.John putting his coat into his cubby
5. John washing his hands
6.John playing with manipulatives
7.John washing his hands
8John sitting down with his breakfast

The cards will help break down the morning for John to understand exactly what is expected of him when he arrives at school. My task is the arrival. I will take pictures of John so that John can see what he is suppose to do. I will have them velcroed on a communication board so that if John has forgotten a step I can walk him to the board and he can pull the pieces off one by one that he has completed.

Cook, Ruth E., Klein M. Diane, & Tessier, Annette. (2008). Adapting Early Childhood Curricula for Children with Special Needs (7th Edition). Columbus, OH: Pearson Prentice Hall.