Structuring Tasks for New Learners: Getting Ready to Learn Sylvia Kennedy-Godin January 15, 2020

Young learners often struggle with basic readiness and "learning to learn" skills. Modifying materials and designing instructional routines are essential to attract and engage children with a range of learning challenges. This “Make-and-Take” Series will emphasize how to design and present materials to increase engagement and independence for young learners with attention, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental challenges. Participants will learn new ways to help children understand and participate more fully in activities and routines, whether in home or school settings. Each hands-on WORKshop will include: illustrative and modeling videos; time for exploration and practice; opportunity to make and take a toolkit of visual supports; and guidelines for creating more useful materials after the workshops are over. WORKshop 1: Getting Ready to Learn (February 7, 2020) Bright, attractive, structured materials help children to develop readiness, attending, and play skills. Design and presentation can entice children to interact with these materials and begin to make sense of how to learn. Participants will make a starter set of readiness materials and practice using them in different contexts. Finally, using a simple design tool, participants will learn how to select, modify, and individualize for their learners.