When I started writing Learning Together, I wanted to answer the request from a Dad who's son I had just begun working with.
It was simply this : "Tell us what to do and we'll do it"
So I said "o.k."
Over the years as a tutor, I found one factor to be the most important in each child's learning, and certainly the back bone of a successful home tuition year - I know it's obvious, but it's the parents.
It's not easy when you're faced with learning how to teach your child skills that other kids learn naturally, but the parents who take a proactive approach to their child's education that make the biggest difference to a child's life.
It's these parents, who when faced with their diagnosis, make a decision not to lower the bar for the expectations of their child, but to push the bar up, aiming a little higher.
Of course it would be great if 'by the power of A.B.A.' we tutors could target all behaviours, skills and communication difficulties! When a home tuition programme for a child involves parents on a day-to-day basis, it is effective. The worst mistake parents make is: handing over your child to be fixed - without realising they are the key to successful home tuition programme.
Any parents filling in the form for home tuition this year - go for it! Roll up your sleeves, take part in the writing of the programme with your tutor, believe in your abilities and ask other's for help if you need it.
It'll be the best early intervention your child can get. Why? because a tutor is there 10-20 hours a week, you as the parent are 24-7. When you adopt new skills at home and fit them into your everyday parenting you really get the best out of your home tuition. Effective strategies for functional communication are part of a home tutor's remit - use their skills and expertise to gain knowledge for yourself.
Here is some advice for working with your home tutor:
It's a course which tells you week-by-week what to teach, and how. It also includes pull-out resources to use. These build up to over 300 re-useable resources throughout the course.
There is tonnes of teaching advice, and online and phone support for anyone using the course.
The webpage for Learning Together has all the information you need:
http://www.hometrain.ie/lessons/
Learning Together
It was simply this : "Tell us what to do and we'll do it"
So I said "o.k."
Over the years as a tutor, I found one factor to be the most important in each child's learning, and certainly the back bone of a successful home tuition year - I know it's obvious, but it's the parents.
It's not easy when you're faced with learning how to teach your child skills that other kids learn naturally, but the parents who take a proactive approach to their child's education that make the biggest difference to a child's life.
It's these parents, who when faced with their diagnosis, make a decision not to lower the bar for the expectations of their child, but to push the bar up, aiming a little higher.
Of course it would be great if 'by the power of A.B.A.' we tutors could target all behaviours, skills and communication difficulties! When a home tuition programme for a child involves parents on a day-to-day basis, it is effective. The worst mistake parents make is: handing over your child to be fixed - without realising they are the key to successful home tuition programme.
Any parents filling in the form for home tuition this year - go for it! Roll up your sleeves, take part in the writing of the programme with your tutor, believe in your abilities and ask other's for help if you need it.
It'll be the best early intervention your child can get. Why? because a tutor is there 10-20 hours a week, you as the parent are 24-7. When you adopt new skills at home and fit them into your everyday parenting you really get the best out of your home tuition. Effective strategies for functional communication are part of a home tutor's remit - use their skills and expertise to gain knowledge for yourself.
Here is some advice for working with your home tutor:
- Take an active role in writing your child's programme with your tutor.
- Be clear about the support you need with your child's behaviour.
- Keep the door of the teaching room/area open so you can over-hear the tuition.
- Take part in some aspects of tuition if possible i.e. looking at their work and adding gold stars, giving praise when they achieve a new skill.
- Keep the items for home tuition in a locked cupboard - especially day-to-day reinforcing items your tutor uses. Don't allow your child 'free reign' of the cupboard after your tutor has gone home.
- Try to avoid multiple interruptions/distractions to tuition.
- Keep a folder of your child's work - having them bound at the end of each term/year is a great way of keeping a record of their achievments.
- Learn as much as you can from your tutor - you have a great opportunity for free education and most tutors will be only delighted that you are willing to learn.
- This may sound odd at first, but write it down. Keeping a record of your teaching will help you to formulate new ideas and a way to remember all the things you think of and forget! In Learning Together there is a diary page for each week which asks you to write what went well, what didn't and ideas for next time.
- Communicate all your ideas, concerns and observations to your tutor - it's the small things that can make a difference.
It's a course which tells you week-by-week what to teach, and how. It also includes pull-out resources to use. These build up to over 300 re-useable resources throughout the course.
There is tonnes of teaching advice, and online and phone support for anyone using the course.
The webpage for Learning Together has all the information you need:
http://www.hometrain.ie/lessons/
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