Training in the Natural Environment: Circular Learning in Everyday Life
Natural environment training is an educational approach designed to teach children new skills and promote positive behaviors in their daily environments, such as at home, school, or during play. This approach focuses on integrating learning with real-life activities, making learning more practical and easier to apply.
Role of the Specialist in Natural Environment Training:
The specialist’s role in training within the natural environment is crucial for ensuring that educational and therapeutic goals are effectively achieved in the context of the child’s daily life. Their role includes several key aspects:
- Child Needs Assessment: The specialist begins by assessing the child’s level and individual abilities to identify the skills that need development. This is done through direct observation and approved evaluation measures.
- Customized Treatment Plan Design: Based on the child’s assessment, the specialist creates an educational or therapeutic plan tailored to the child’s unique needs, considering the child’s natural environment.
- Training in Different Environments: The therapist implements exercises in the child’s daily environments, such as home and school. This approach helps the child acquire new skills in real-life contexts where they will actually apply them.
- Parent and Teacher Support: The specialist collaborates closely with parents and teachers to provide guidance on enhancing the child’s skills in everyday settings. They explain how routine activities can be used as learning tools to reinforce positive behavior.
- Promoting Social Interaction: By integrating the child into natural environments like school or play areas, the specialist helps improve the child’s social and communication skills, enabling better interaction with others.
- Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: The specialist regularly monitors the child’s progress and adjusts the plan as necessary to ensure consistent improvement and achievement of the desired goals.
The specialist plays a pivotal role in making learning a natural part of the child’s daily life, helping the child apply what they learn easily and naturally, leading to sustainable progress.
