Manners, beginning a conversation, opening their milk and even carrying their own lunch tray are some of the skills we teach during lunch. How do I track these skills? What skills should I teach? What strategies do I use? Keep reading below to find out my answers to each of these questions and be sure to comment if you do the same or something different!
What skills should I teach?
In Early Childhood, I’m provided with a booklet of developmental milestones by age. This is something that can easily be found online. I’m also provided with a program called AEPS which provides me with an assessment and curriculum to address these milestones. I can use this to help guide me on where to start with a student but usually, all of these skills are skills they all need.
In addition, I observe students when they first start in my classroom. I watch and see if they ask for help to open their juice, or if they request a missing item such as a spoon or ketchup. I’m looking to see if they’re initiating conversations, eating their food and or if they’re able to clean up their area. I observe and take notes so that I can monitor areas of need and track them to make sure they are making growth. I alway suggest starting with the basics: requesting, self help, and social skills.
What strategies should I use?
The main strategies I use are: Modeling, visuals, repetition, social stories and role play. I model how to begin a conversation, I model what to do when they drop something and how to ask for help. Visuals are very important when a student needs to see what you are talking about and helps break down the steps. I have visuals that I keep in my breakfast/lunch cart to help with requesting. One example of repetition being used is when I have students practice opening their milk or carrying their own tray. I also use visual sentence strips to help with requesting.
Furthermore, social stories are used prior to breakfast or lunch that teaches the skill we are working on that week. Lastly, role playing is a very important one because it allows students the opportunity to practice the skill in a safe environment. Again, These are the ones that come to mind immediately. Comment below any other strategies you think of!
IDEA- Check out this blog here on how to start a social skills lunch group for older students.
How do I track the progress of these skills?
Many of my littles have mostly social skills goals that I track. Pre-made charts can be found online or I create one specific to the skill. I usually keep track of progress through observations. Using anecdotal notes and pictures to keep record is really important to me. Worksheets are not used in Pre-K, therefore I take a lot of pictures throughout the week to share with parents which also count as evidence of any goals they may be progressing on.
Ultimately, tracking these areas should not be stressful. My recommendation would be beginning of year, middle of year and end of year. Here are some Simple Date Sheets that I recommend for just about any goal. I feel like simple is best. I love checklists and anecdotal notes!
Skills to Teach
Lastly, here a some skills to teach. Please note that there are MANY more!
- Requesting missing items
- asking for help
- opening milk
- using utensils appropriately
- walking through lunch line
- carrying tray
- scanning ID at register
- sitting safely in seat
- talking to friends at your table
- keeping hands to self
- zipping their lunch box
- and so much more!
