Visual Activity Guides

Many children are strong visual learners and visual thinkers, especially children with autism. Given this strength, NYSCI has created Visual Activity Guides—visual step-by-step instructions to help engage children in STEAM activities when verbal communication and instructions are difficult. Visual Activity Guides encourage the whole family to participate in playful hands-on activities while promoting a positive learning experience that is clear and engaging.

Use these Visual Activity Guides in a way that best makes sense for your child: printed on paper or displayed on a screen. Your child should be able to see the guide before beginning the activity and the guide should continue to be visible throughout. At first, you may need to physically guide your child (for example, gently guide your child by the shoulder and prompt them to point to each step). Try doing the activity more than once and gradually decrease physical prompts as your child begins to use the visual activity guide more independently.

Video Modeling: Stem Activities

Video modeling is a form of assistive visual tool where complex tasks are broken down into simpler steps and video recorded. The viewer can watch the recording as many times as is needed before performing the task. It is helpful in that it offers a repetitive and consistent format for students who learn best through direct support and instruction.

Video modeling is also a useful teaching strategy to visually model a wide range of skills, abilities and behaviors to children with autism and other developmental challenges in a way that’s less threatening or overwhelming than face to face instruction. It can be especially effective for teaching and scaffolding STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects and activities as it allows children to learn at their own pace without being distracted by stimuli that may interfere with learning.

When first using video modeling, educators or adult caretakers should stop the video recording after each step of the task or behavior so that the child can practice the targeted skill. It can also be more effective when integrated with other methods such as picture prompting, visual schedules and social narratives.

Here are some more Video Modeling activities by NYSCI:

YouTube Link: Video Modeling Marveling Art

YouTube Link: Shake Painting Video

Sensory Play At Home

Sensory play is any activity that stimulates the senses and it is crucial for the cognitive, emotional, and physical development of children (and adults!) of all ages. Sensory activities are open-ended and encourage exploration of materials and processes, rather than the end product.

Recognizing and interpreting sensory information helps build nerve connections in a child’s brain that in turn helps them engage in more complex and sophisticated learning tasks. It also supports language development as children learn to use adjectives to describe items and experiences (hot, cold, wet, sticky, etc.) As well as encouraging children to naturally use scientific processes as they play, create, investigate, and explore using their senses.

Engaging neurodiverse children in sensory activities is especially beneficial. Encouraging a child to engage in sensory play may help with social and communication abilities, while also helping them self-regulate during overwhelming experiences. Along with the cognitive and physical benefits, sensory play is an effective coping strategy to help children (and adults) reduce levels of stress and anxiety.

Family Science Adventure Workshops

Family Science Adventures (FSAs) are sensory sensitive science workshop series that serve children ages 3-4 (called “Little Sprouts”) and children ages 5-8 (called “Science Scouts”).

“Little Sprouts” workshops focus on introducing socialization skills between young children in the and foundational science learning during each workshop. “Science Scouts” workshops focus on sensory experiences while offering a more robust STEM content series and a deeper exposure to and exploration of materials and tools. Workshops also focus heavily on supporting socialization between children by including activities that require teamwork.

For more information please contact Delia Meza, Director of Family Learning and Community Partnerships at dmeza@nysci.org

Sensory Playdates

Sensory Playdates events are aimed at giving young neurodiverse children ages 4 - 8 an opportunity to explore science learning together in a communal environment with a stronger emphasis on social interactions and play opportunities.

For more information please contact Delia Meza, Director of Family Learning and Community Partnerships at dmeza@nysci.org