[senco-forum] Chunking of Instructiions

Hi Mary
  My Ed Psych means giving short groups of instructions starting with one at a time and working up to however many are needed for the task.  Some of our kids really do need one instruction at a time.  Others can manage two but not three and so on - we work on building up their ability to manage.
  The Ed Psych always adds a target for pupils to reinforce this which is for them to repeat the instruction under their breath until they have done it.  We encourage this.  TAs also have a routine of asking the pupil to repeat the teacher's instruction.  If s/he can't, the TA repeats them then asks the pupil to.  If the pupil doesn't try to listen and relies too much on the TA, that pupil will have to ask the teacher to repeat the instruction - this usually only happens once!  Teachers are encouraged to have the instructions written down as well so pupils can follow them but it is not always possible.
  Amanda
  Secondary SENCO
  Cornwall

Mary Kelly <mary.kelly4 at ntlworld.com> wrote:
  Dear All,
We are often advised to "chunk" instructions for children with working
memory problems. I am interested to know what everybody thinks this means
because I can interpret it several ways. Does it mean:
1. Giving instructions one at a time and waiting for their execution before
giving another instruction;
2. Giving instructions in abbreviated language e.g. "coat on peg please";
3. Giving the instructions once in plain language and then repeating them in
abbreviated language e.g. "coat on peg; bag on desk; carpet-time"
4. Giving the instruction then asking the child to repeat it back to you
before doing it;
5. Giving the instruction, pausing for 2 seconds, then asking the child to
repeat it back to you before doing it;
6. Any other combination of these, or
7. Something else altogether.
What do others think please?
With thanks,
Mary

Amanda
Secondary SENCO
Cornwall