Talking. We do it every day, sometimes ALL day. We respond, we inform, we vent, we COMMUNICATE. It's just that simple. Or is it?
When you work with students that have developmental delays that have very little verbal skills, you begin to appreciate the complexity of communication. It may have come easily to us, but for my students the skills involved in communicating has to be explicitly taught.
Take a moment and think about what skills, no matter how small, would need to be taught in order for someone to learn to be a successful communicator?
I agree with you Jennifer. We talk every day and it seems natural for us. Actually, verbal and listening skills are very difficult. Even for adults, I can imagine it must be very tough with studentds who needs these special needs. These students are very fortunately to have a teacher like you.
ReplyDeleteSandy