Incidental Learning

Incidental learning is a naturalistic teaching technique. This learning opportunity is initiated by the child's interests which will open communication between you and your child. When setting up the environment we want to be intentional about the activities you choose. These activities should entice your child and will motivate your child to engage with you. When creating these learning opportunities we do not want to discourage or frustrate the child, we want to follow the child's lead.

This technique builds functional communication skills, improves language, and aims to generalize skills to different situations and environments.

Ideas for setting up your incidental learning opportunities:

This will prompt the child to request the needed items or pieces:

· Leaving items or pieces out (scissors, glue, puzzles or game pieces).

· Putting objects out of reach or in closed containers. Also, using colored or different size containers or objects, the child will have to name the color and size, as well as the object.

Prompting the child to label or complete your sentence:

· Reading a book-have child name pictures.

· Sing a song the child likes and stop singing to have the child finish the song or chorus.

· Play charades

· Cooking (label ingredients)

Prompts the child to ask for more or to turn on:

· Pause a song or show.

· Stop pushing your child on the swing.

· During snack, give a couple chips, fruit snacks, piece of an apple.

· Cooking (amount of ingredients, stirring, and turning on oven)