Transcript “Functional” objective

Functional Learning
Objectives for Young
Children with Special Needs
High Quality Objectives
Many experts use the term “functional” to describe CA and
developmentally appropriate learning goals and objectives. A
functional objective:
 Helps a child be successful and independent within their daily
routines and across the day.
 Reflects skills that other children of the child’s chronological
age (CA) use on a regular basis.
 Addresses skills or behaviors that children can learn in a
variety of situations and in different ways.
Material taken from Project Open House,
Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney
Find the “Functional” objective (s):
 5 year old Robin will string 5, 1-inch
beads on a string by herself.
 4 year old Traci will verbally respond to
another child who asks her a question.
 5 year old Justin will follow 2-step
directions provided by a familiar adult.
 3 year-old Rannon will stack 6 blocks on
top of each other by himself.
Material taken from Project Open House,
Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney
Is That Your Final Answer?
 If you think that objectives “2” and “3” are
functional, you’re right!
 Responding to another person who
asks a question is an important skill
that will help Traci interact with her
peers and be part of the group.
 Following multi-part directions is an
important skill for Justin to learn
because he’s going to need to do that
when he goes to kindergarten.
Material taken from Project Open House,
Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney
What About Stringing Beads and
Stacking Blocks?
 Let’s talk about Robin’s and Rannon’s
objectives.
 Can Robin be successful in preschool or
kindergarten if she can’t string beads? Will
Rannon get along OK if he can’t stack
blocks? Probably “yes”.
 By themselves, string beads or stacking
blocks don’t lead to other important skills
or behaviors.
Material taken from Project Open House,
Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney
What are the skills “behind”
stringing beads or stacking blocks?
 However, stringing beads or stacking
blocks depends on the ability to use two
hands to accomplish a task or to have
good fine-motor control. These are
important skills that allow children to be
successful in other settings.
 How could you rewrite objectives for Robin
or Rannon so that they are functional?
Material taken from Project Open House,
Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney
How about this???
 Instead of “stringing beads”…
…Robin will use both of her hands to
complete a task …
Such as? …………………………
 Instead of “stacking block…
…Rannon will …………?
Material taken from Project Open House,
Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney
Goal Documentation Sheet / Planning Matrix
Child Name:
Goal 1:
IEP IFSP
Month/Year: , 2009
IP
Please attach any observations from CC.net that pertains to these goals. Use the empty spaces to plan when/where or what activity
you will use to work toward the desired goal. (I.e. at circle time, small group time, outdoors, etc)
Individual Objective
CC.Net Objective #
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Lesson Plans
Material taken from Project Open House,
Drs Dinnebeil and McInerney