What is the best approach to follow a child's lead in teaching sessions?

Following a child's lead in teaching sessions emphasizes the importance of being responsive to the child's interests and behaviors. This approach allows the therapist or teacher to identify and capitalize on natural opportunities for teaching and learning that arise from the child's actions. By watching the child for intervention opportunities, the educator can tailor their responses and interventions to align with the child's current focus, activity, or motivation.

This method promotes engagement and increases the likelihood of successful learning experiences, as it respects and validates the child’s preferences and developmental stage. It creates a more dynamic and interactive learning environment, where teaching is individualized and relevant to the child's immediate context.

In contrast, conducting a reinforcer assessment, while useful for identifying potential reinforcers, does not directly engage with following the child's lead during the session. Collecting behavior data, although critical for progress monitoring, focuses on tracking behavior rather than adapting the session based on the child’s current interests. Lastly, not allowing the child to lead contradicts the goal of creating a child-centered approach, which is foundational in effective educational practices. Prioritizing the child's preferences fosters autonomy and supports a positive learning experience.