So, you’ve committed to using the Complexity Approach with a student… but now you’re still trying to figure out what you’re therapy should like and what you’re supposed to use!!!
Our sessions usually involve:
an activity using flashcards (important to familiarize the student using the vocabulary)
a play-based activity (incorporating the target words in a fun play activity – no cards)
a hands-on activity using a worksheet (we might stamp, dab, use dice games etc.)
We usually start our therapy session reviewing the vocabulary and supporting children with additional cues and prompts where needed. While we still incorporate large flashcards, we recently made the switch to mini flashcards!
We just found that it was SO MUCH EASIER to have a high practice session with x45 mini flashcards vs. x9 larger ones. We could put magnetic counters on each mini card, hide them around the room, use in sensory bins etc. offering more flexibility!
Do your students ever roll their eyes when you show them another flashcard or whip out a worksheet? This is where a play-based activity using the child’s target words can break up your session and bring the fun back! In the past, I used to think up activities on the spot, but now I’ve collected all the ideas into one sheet that I can put on the floor and refer to.
Every child is different, so having options for worksheets and then giving the child a choice can help your sessions run smoother. Ask, “Did you want to play a board game next or use some stampers?”
If you’re worried about not getting enough practice trials in (we try to aim for 100 trials minimum), our worksheets list the number of trials you can get on each page!
As a parent, I sometimes find it hard to incorporate sit-down homework into my everyday routine. Placing word lists on a fridge is my number one recommendation! It’s visible to everyone, reminds me to practice, and I find it much easier to get short bursts of practice throughout the day!
