Neral Brovonnons and Rownes TOPIC] WHAT IS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT? INTRODUCTION/FAMILY GOALS “This topic may be used to introduce the concept of providing services in the natura ‘avironmeattothe family especially ifthe familys unfair withthe tem, “natural eviron- ‘meat Family members wil: (8) understand he tera “natural envizooment,” (8) become mere ware ofthe dil routines and family activites that they are typical invelvedin throughout the ay, and (¢) understand that daily routines and activities are wondfallearing opportunities. SAMPLE DISCUSSION ‘The Term “Natural Environment’ Public Law 105-17 (DEA, Amendments of 1997 under PartC)affectshow early inte-vention services are provided families of young chr with special needs. Tislaw defines cal intervention services as developmental services that othe maximum extent ‘appropriate are provided in natural environments including the home and community settings inwhich children without disabiliespartitpate (see Visual 1). Areyou familiar ‘withthe tem*natural environment?” What does the term “natural environment” meant you? Lets discuss some descriptions ofnatural environment to beter understand its meaning: ‘+ Natural environment does not mean just “a place” but activities, opportunities, ‘and eveats in the child's life, ‘+ Natural environments are not just places but the many different kinds of learning activities happening in diferent places. + When eaming activites are thought ofasthe experiences and opportunites that ‘appenin the many ira! socal and physical contexts inthe howe and Topic Is Wha Is NotralEmronment? a9Nora sinmont ond Routines Focus on parents and family: ‘Preparing meals Yard work/Gardening # Mealtimes Getting ready for bed 4 Rumning errands # Religions services 4 Shopping ‘Visiting friends and family 4 Household chores ‘Reading Going to appointments 2% Sports Recreation events % Watching TV % Eating out ‘Seeing Dally Routines As Wonderful Learning Opportunities Some people do not realize that daily routines and activites are wonderful Jeaming opportunites. They may believe that there needs to be a “teaching time” separate fom other activities to practice skills. This isnot the case. Routines and family activites have certain features that work well in providing services and promoting skills. + Routines are repetitive and offer many opportunites to practice a skill. For ‘example, mealtime offers a number of opportunites to practice fine motor skills such ‘as finger feeding oro focus on language associated with mealtime suchas “please ase" food items, “yummy,” ee. ‘+ Families can Jearn or practices skill within a routine or activity. By doing this, the family does not have to try to ft extra activities into their lives, ia addition to everyting else they are doing! For example, while traveling inthe caror ‘bs, Sumily members can provide the child language forthe things thatare seen slong the way + Incorporating a skill within a routine or activity is more meaningful, functional, and practical for everyone involved. For example, during iapering, the child can be encouraged to pull diaper wipes out of a container te increase muscle tone in his hands, and the child can be encouraged to use language associated with this activity like “out,” “sof,” “smells good,” etc. + Routines have a certain order and are fairly predictable. When the child ‘becomes farilar wit these routines, sb leams what to expect an feels more comfortable (eg, “Monmy takes me to dayeare and Dadky picks me up.” or ple I: What Is Natal Bnvvonmen? urNatl Evironment and Rotines 2, Discuss Visual2 which shows examples of daly routines and family activities that oocur ‘throughout theday and thet maybe used to incorporate skills 3. UseActiviy SteHandout | w assist the failyinbecoming mre aware oftheir routines and activities during «typical day. Ifnecessary, define routine and give examples o gid the funy though atypical day by asking, “What happens after that?” “And then?” Record the information on the sheet. Ask the family ‘how many ties each routine or activity occurs during the day. Write the number ‘beside the routine or activity. Emphasize how many opportunities are avalable to incorporate sills within a specifi route (eg, eating may oceur five times a day ifthe child has tree meals and two snacks). Leave the sheet with the family asa reminder to take advantage ofthese opportunites fr skill incorporation, 4, Show the videotape, “Just Being Kids" or “It Makes Sense," to illustrate how interventionists and caregivers can be successful in incorporating a number of slcils into routines and activities (see Reference List below). 5, To introduce the concept of incorporating skils ito daly routines and family activities, model a still within one ofthe family’s daily routines or activities that they have mectioned. Show how fun it isto incorporate a skill within this routine or family activity. Encourage te family to try it IDEAS FOR FAMILY FOLLOW-UP 1. During one day this week, use Activity Sheet/Handout I to record the daily routines and family activities that your family is involved in thrcugbout the day. If ‘you're not sure how many times these occur throughout the day (e.g, diapering), ‘keep count by putting a check mark by the routine or activity eath time it occurs [Let's discuss this information during our next vist. 2. Asyougo about your day, note the daily routines and family activities that usually ‘20 smoothly and would work best in incorporating skills. Let's tal about this, next time, 3, Practice asl within a daily routine or family activity of your choice, Use ‘Handout 2and consider the questions listed. Lets discuss this expeience atournext vist, Topi I: What I Neal Emironmeni? “aater Pionments ond Rewtnes Videotapes Just Being Kids (2001). Westera Media Products, JFK Partners, University of Colorado, ‘Health Sciences Ceater, P.O. Box $91, Denver, CO 80201, www.anedia- products. com, 1-800-232-8902, Also available from HOPE, Inc. (435) 245-2888; hope@hapepubcom:htp/wwwhopepubl.com. ‘It Makes Sense (2002). HOPE, In., 1856 North 1200 East, North Logan, UT 84341, (435) "245-2888; hope@hopepubl.com; tp www hopepubl.com. opie 1: What Is Narr vironment? as