Why learn about functions
Understanding the functions of objects can be challenging for children in preschool, on the Autism spectrum, or with special needs. But it is rewarding because it helps the child
- learn new vocabulary,
- develop conversation skills
- helps the child make inferences about objects
How can ABA help acquire the language of functions
Applied Behavior Analysis ABA provides an intuitive and easy way to learn about the functions of objects. In ABA, learning is divided into small and easy steps to make the learning process is very simple:
- Level 1: we start with easy sorting activities/task cards where the child has to classify items into functions with :
- only 2 functions, like cutting and eating,
- and 2 objects for each ( we eat strawberry and pizza, and cut with scissors and knife).
At this level, the functions that are introduced in each activity are very different from each other. This is to make it easy to understand by our little learners. When the child is able to sort easily for 10 or more functions, we can move to the next step.
- Level 2: here the child sorts more items (up to 5) for 2 functions, from those he learned in the previous level. This enables the child to generalize what he learned and understand the functions of objects around him.
Is there more than a way to learn functions?
There are many ways to introduce functions to children
- Give the function of any object: “what do we use glasses for?”
- Answer with examples of objects when the child is given a function: “what do we use to climb?”
- Answer with all the functions of an object: “give me all the functions of a spoon”
But sorting is the easiest activity to learn about functions and should be the first step to help children learn faster.
What are some examples of functions of objects?
In this activity, we chose 17 functions of objects that children use daily:
-
- eat
- drink
- wear
- drive
- read
- listen
- write
- play
- swim
- brush
- see
- cook
- sit
- clean
- sleep
- watch
- cut.
For each one of these functions, the child answers the question: “what do we … ?”. Example: what do we eat? what do we use to swim?
How to teach sorting to children
In order to introduce this sorting activity, you can follow these steps:
- Print and laminate the activity file (at the bottom of this page), then cut the different images,
- Use a velcro
- to attach the images to the activity card when the child answers.
- and use another velcro on the back of each activity card for organization and to make it easy to start and put away the activity.
- The task cards provide a sample from each function to make it easy for the child to understand what is expected from him.
- Ask the child to: “put the objects that we eat here, and the objects that cut over here“.
- Then the child does the same for the other cards on level 1.
- When the child masters level 1 task cards: he is capable of sorting by function quickly, without errors and without help, He can move to level 2 task cards. At this point, the child is capable of sorting more objects (up to 5) belonging to the same function.
Download the printable file
- Sorting items by function Beginner level 1 Task cards
- sorting items by function Beginner level 2 Task cards
ABLLS-R Program Compliant Activities:
- B17 Sorting by function
- Score 1
- Score 2
