ABA Sensory Learning Series: What Is Group Gather?

All children want to learn. They want to explore and discover new things. But in order for quality learning to happen, it's crucial that the moment and the environment be right for that child.

Our ABA clinic sees every moment as a potential learning opportunity. We have formal educational environments for this like our ABA Transitional Classroom and our Supported Pathways Learning Center. On the informal side, we seize all natural environment teaching opportunities that our clinic spaces - kitchen, living room, sensory learning area, social space, etc. - provide.

But we also structure intentional moments that fall in between formal and informal in order to maximize the learning opportunities for each and every client.

Group Gather: a Sensory Learning Opportunity

One set of these intentional learning opportunities is our Group Gather. This is a time in the morning when available clients can come together to participate in a shared learning activity. The activities are pre-planned and follow a weekly theme.

Within this theme, each day hosts a different subject to engage with:

• Mon - Storytime - read and discuss a book

• Tues - Art - complete a creative sensory learning craft

• Wed - Gym - do a physical activity

• Thurs - Science - conduct an experiment

• Fri - Music - engage with instruments or a music and movement game

These activities are led by one of our behavior technicians. Along with providing instructions, the leader helps our kids practice skills needed in group instruction. These include: sharing, attending, waiting, teamwork, following directions, and more!

All our kiddos can participate if and when they want - it's entirely up to them! We know how much more meaningful and healthy a learning experience is when kids want to engage with it, so we never require or pressure any client to participate.

Our clients have the agency to opt in or out each day. If the client isn't ready to engage with the activity at the same time as the rest of the group or if they want to do the activities on their own, the materials remain available to them through the rest of the day. This lets them (with their behavior technician) learn when the moment is right for them.

We focus on making the activities fun, novel, and valuable. We trust that every child wants to learn. We meet them where they're at and engage them with activities that are meaningful to them.

Check out the themes and activities we've included in our Group Gather time - look for other blogs in our ABA Sensory Learning Series.