When working with my students 1:1 or in small groups, I first work for instructional control. This means the student is “ready to work.” They are sitting or staying in an area, attending to the direction, and completing the task. In order to get instructional control, the student needs to know what the “reward” is going to be. I usually start with a first-then system to help my student’s understand how much “work” they have to do before they earn a reward. In the beginning it is a very short, easy task that they are able to complete. When the task is complete, they receive a reward. Show the student the choice board upon completion so they can pick what they want to play with. Using first-then visuals will help your student understand the order. Repetition of first-then will also help your student understand the work-reward order. As the students are able to work for longer periods you can increase the first-then to 1-2-3 reward.
Choice board- use toys that you know your child loves! Limit choices if they are only able to choose from a field of 1 or 2.
Store the rewards in bins with pictures to easily access and keep out of reach. I store mine in the shelf near my work area so I can easily grab whichever bin the student selected. This is also a great way to work on social skills with your student. You can work on play at the level your student is at such as functional play or pretend play. Change up the selection as your student’s needs change. I set a timer for the amount of time the student gets to interact with the toy so there is a clear ending.
