Early Activity System User Manual
p11
Some points to remember about how
your child learns new skills
Regardless of the position you place
your child in, or the play activity you
are carrying out, there are things you
can bear in mind to help the process2.
Learning is an active process –
encourage your child to do as much
as he can on his own. Even at a very
early stage this active exploring is the
foundation for problem solving.
Motivation is the key – use toys and
activities which you know your child is
interested in, especially if the position
is not a favourite one. Use small
achievable steps to motivate your child.
Practice makes perfect – it seems
obvious, but think about typically
developing children – they repeat tasks
over and over until they have mastered
them. It may not be easy for your child
to achieve a new skill, so be patient
and don’t worry if the skill doesn’t
come quickly. Check with your therapist
about the frequency and length
of your play sessions.
We do not yet understand fully
whether learning transfers from one
activity to another2. Therefore, don’t
be worried if an activity which can be
accomplished in one position needs to
be practised again when a new position
is introduced.
Feedback helps learning – at early
developmental stages this includes
your facial expressions, clapping, etc.
Later on it may include spoken praise,
but be cautious that your enthusiastic
feedback doesn’t distract your child!
