Happy Tuesday & Happy November!! I just started visits
with a new family who has a set of twins. I have previously worked with
countless sets of multiples as they have a high rate of premature birth, therefore automatically qualifying them and their families for early intervention services (yay for
EI!). I wanted to share some strategies and thoughts that I often share with
parents with you all. Please enjoy and feel free to add your experiences and/or
effective strategies used when working with multiples and their families as well J
#thankGODformultiples #themorekiddosthemorefun #doublethespeech&language
1.
Scheduling: I like to try and schedule back to
back sessions on the same day, however, ask the family which is best to do
(same day or different days), as it may be too big of a time block and too much
information and steps during coaching for the parent to remember for two or
three separate kiddos.
2.
Individuality is Key: I always remind and
strongly encourage parents to try not to compare language skills &
development or development in general (I know this MUST be extremely difficult).
Each child should have separate outcomes and strategies to reach those
outcomes, as it had been my experience that one child always requires a bit
more attention, time and prompting than the other. Also, encourage parents to
not allow one kid to answer for the other; this is also difficult. EI providers
& caregivers during sessions: consistently use individual names and “your
turn/____________(name of kiddo's) turn”.
3.
Inclusion: As an early intervention provider, it
is our job to promote language learning in the most natural form and
environment, which means more than likely the other sibling/s will be present
as well as the caregiver/s. This is the perfect opportunity to practice turn
taking and help build on skills through models (using the stronger language
model and encouraging caregivers to model). Encourage the family to imitate
these activities and routines throughout the week, providing a protocol and
specific examples of language learning opportunities. Be specific to activities
routines of high interest and incorporate individual needs and interests.
4.
Behavior: It’s also been my experience that the
more kiddos incorporated into the session the more behaviors (desired &
undesired) are displayed as well. The strategy that has been most effect is
encouraging the parent to parallel an activity of interest for the other kiddo,
while practicing the outcome of whoever’s session it is within the routine or
activity while in the same room. This way everyone is busy as well as getting
individual attention, which seems to decrease the behaviors. Also, any activity
involving movement (going to the park, jumping on the trampoline, dance parties,
yoga, etc.) helps to expel energy, wiggles, and the burning desire for
attention.
