Repetition

Are we repeating the word repetition enough to make the point?  In this edition of Sunday Scaffolding, I gently remind you that practice is often just repetition – and practice, makes progress.

Great News!

This is great news for us as parents because it means if our kids keep trying things, they eventually learn to do those things for themselves.  The more complex the skill, the longer it will take to get to independence.  All of this is normal. 

Think of a baby learning to walk.  We’re all so excited they are trying, we forget that it looks terrible.  They are a wobbly mess. They fall all the time. Sometimes they cry, but lots of times, they laugh.  Our kids are hard-wired to keep at it. We assume that typical kids will get there eventually.

Assume Competence

So, the best thing we can do for our special kiddos is exactly the same thing.  Whatever skill they’re working on, chosen by you or by their own motivation to accomplish a goal…just give them support and love as they practice. If they’re learning to feed themselves, there will be plenty of food on the floor, but over time, more and more will get into their mouths.  That will be motivating and they will make progress.

Remember

I shared Mikey’s showering routine with you. It’s a lot of steps.  It took years!  I kept at it, assuming he could get there eventually.  I figured, the worst thing to happen might be that he would still need my help with certain steps – but that didn’t happen…he can do it by himself.  This is a source of pride (and privacy) for him, and it gives me time in the day to do other things that need my attention…like dishes.  Why are there so many dishes?