Strategy 4: Teach children to write personal information

What to Do

• Teach the child to read the vocabulary such as name, date of birth, and address that will appear on various forms
• Consider teaching the child to copy information from a personal information card rather than memorize information such as phone numbers, addresses, and passwords that will change over time
• Provide meaningful opportunities for the child to write personal information
  • Sign in and out when entering or leaving an area or room
  • Sign up for activities such as lunch, centers, classroom responsibilities
  • Sign out materials such as library books and take-home activities
  • Address envelopes
  • Enter user names and passwords for computer activities
  • Fill in personal information on forms and applications for school or employment
• Present writing tasks in a variety of locations to encourage the child to generalize the skills

Things to Consider

• Are you using activities that are meaningful and motivating to the child?
• Are you choosing the most functional means of writing for each task?
  • Just as we encourage multiple means of communication, many children will benefit from using multiple means of writing including use of real objects, symbols, their AAC devices, adapted or typical keyboards, or standard technology and pencils depending on the task and setting.
• Are there adaptations such as name stamps, signature guides, magnification, contrast, or technology that could increase the child’s independence?

Always Ask Yourself