Level 1
What is Level 1?
Regulation and Attention
What is Level 2?
Engagement
What is Level 3?
Communication
Do you use the same strategies materials (toys) and methods for every child? Why?
No, Because every kids is different and has a unique individual profile what works for one kid may not work for another. Each child should be assessed for their preferences and needs (physical, emotional, sensory) in order to best connect and build a relationship.
Give two examples of how you would play with this...?
playdoh
What is sensory processing?
Sensory processing is how people feel and react to information received from their senses.
What is more important: The emotional experience? or the task at hand?
The emotional experience
When playing with a child, what are some ways they can communicate with us?
The child can communicate through body language, facial expression (e.g. smiling), gestures (e.g. pointing), eye contact, affect, vocalization, verbal or AAC device.
Child X may appear uneasy and have difficulty remaining calm, organized, and focused in new environments or when engaging in shared attention with less familiar adults. This may be observed through increased vocalizations, walking from one place to another, and at times leaving the room.
Provide a low-stimulation environment, such as a quiet room with minimal sensory distractions. Offer a few preferred or familiar toys, including sensory activities like music, sand, or water play, and follow the child’s pace. If the child needs to move around or leave the room, you can shadow him giving him time to build trust then slowly guide him back to the room to further establish engagement, and connection through play
How you can expand the game with...?
magnetic tiles
What toys would you choose to promote regulation and attention?
soft textured toys, bubbles, music (gentle/soft), simple cause and effect toys, empty room, and sensory toys.
What is Emotional Safety?
The child feels protected and understood by his caregiver/friend. This is expressed by observable body language: calm, readiness and eye contact.
When the child begins to take part in meaningful back-and-forth exchanges with another person; How do you start the circles of communication with them?
The student is able to “close circles of communication.” He or she responds to other’s cues/intentions (e.g., teacher offers toy, child takes it and puts it in a container or teacher gestures for child to sit down and the child takes his seat)
Child X slow to warm up and it takes a long period of time to engage in activities, Child X prefers to observe and to be quiet without participating. How would you start interacting/playing with Child X so they can be engage?
Give Child time to process information/wait for him, don't talk too much, see if child shows preferences for an object if not you can offer a few familiar objects/activities in session, respect his ideas in order to build relationship and trust.
How can you expand with...?
Water table toy
What are some physical signs that a child is regulated and attentive?
eye contact, shared attention, enjoyment, gleam in the eye
What is Object play?
This active manipulative play is used to either explore or construct objects. With time, manipulating and visualizing objects and toys improves visual-motor integration skills
What is Pretend Play?
The child assumes other people's roles or imagines other places, things, or other times. The child can also use objects as a symbol for what is imagined. For example, the child uses the banana as a telephone.
Child X may appear tense or hesitant at times. The child is very creative and enjoys music, but may have difficulty sharing ideas, particularly when expressing emotions.
Support co-regulation and help the child feel calm and regulated through enjoyable activities and play. Follow the child’s interests, such as music, and use characters/puppets to create playful scenarios where emotions can be explored and expressed together.
How would you play with...?
Mirror
Why is play important?
Play is a powerful tool for supporting a child’s development. Through play, children build emotional connections, strengthen communication, and develop essential social skills.
Name three strategies that you can use to engage when you are playing with a child?
Imitate the child. Follow their lead. Celebrate every tiny response. Encourage the child to emotionally connect with you through smiles, eye contact, high affect, gestures, or vocalizations. Use predictable, joyful routines – like peek-a-boo or bouncing games to build emotional rhythms.
True or false: Do you treat every action as intentional? and Why?
True, you treat every action as intentional as a way to build meaningful interactions
Child X may prefer to avoid interacting with new people at first, and communication may be more limited until the child feels comfortable. During pretend play Child X tends to sort objects. How can you engage and expand on play?
Use high affect to engage with the child and begin building the relationship. Respect the child’s processing time and allow the connection to develop at their pace. Introduce play or activities that capture the child’s interest to invite interaction. Introduce a new element like a puppet to help create meaning to play with the objects the child is sorting.
What is the last thing you MUST DO after your session? ( Your student has already returned to class)
Clean up after yourself and return Floortime toys to the CORRECT rooms. Thank You :)