Classroom management strategy: Preparing for classroom transitions (continued)

4 - Teaching a Child with a Cochlear Implant

To help prepare a child with a cochlear implant for a transition, follow the steps below.

Countdown: Five minutes before switching activities, gain the child's attention and alert the whole class that there are five minutes until the class changes activities. Remind the class again one minute before the transition.
Keep a regular routine: Work to keep the classroom routine consistent to help the class, especially the child with a cochlear implant, learn the flow of the day. When there will be a change in the schedule, share this information with the child with a cochlear implant ahead of time.
Use a visual daily chart: Keep a wall chart with Velcro pictures of each activity of the day. Review the chart each morning during morning meeting or circle time. If you have a job-wheel in the class, then one of the jobs may be "Daily Chart Helper" that helps prepare the class for transitions. If any student seems lost during the day, then refer him or her to the daily chart for what comes next. Make it a trusted source of information.
Work one-on-one with the child: Review the schedule for each day with the child with the cochlear implant. You may also ask this child's parents or another child in the class to perform the review.