In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of students’ ability to tune into their environment in special education and how educators can create effective IEP goals to enhance this skill.

Understanding Environmental Awareness

Environmental awareness refers to the ability of students to notice and understand what is happening around them, their own actions, and how their actions may impact others. This skill is crucial for students’ learning, social interactions, and overall wellbeing.

The Role of Specialists

Various specialists can support the development of environmental awareness in students:

• Speech-Language Pathologists: can help students improve their listening and communication skills to better understand and respond to their environment.
• Social Workers: can provide strategies for students to navigate social situations and develop empathy for others.
• Psychologists: can assist students in understanding their emotions and the emotions of others, which is vital for environmental awareness.
• School Counselors: can guide students in setting personal goals and developing self-awareness to be more in tune with their surroundings.

IEP Goals for Environmental Awareness

Here are some specific SMART IEP goals to improve environmental awareness in students:

Goal 1: Increase awareness of surroundings

By the end of the IEP period, the student will demonstrate increased awareness of their surroundings by accurately describing three events or interactions they observed during the school day.

Strategies and activities:

• Encourage the student to practice observing and describing their environment during breaks or transition times.
• Provide opportunities for the student to share their observations with peers or staff.

Goal 2: Improve self-monitoring of actions

By the end of the IEP period, the student will self-monitor their actions and demonstrate increased self-awareness by identifying two instances when their actions had a positive or negative impact on others.

Strategies and activities:

• Teach the student to use self-reflection techniques, such as journaling or self-talk, to evaluate their actions.
• Provide feedback and guidance on how their actions impact others.

Implementing and Measuring Progress

To effectively implement these IEP goals and measure progress, consider the following tips:

• Collaborate with specialists to develop and implement strategies and activities that support the target skill.
• Regularly review and update IEP goals based on the student’s progress and needs.
• Use both formal and informal assessments, such as observations, self-reports, and feedback from peers, to track the student’s progress.

Conclusion

Enhancing students’ environmental awareness is crucial for their overall development. By implementing effective IEP goals and collaborating with specialists, educators can support students in becoming more in tune with their surroundings. We encourage you to apply these IEP goals and invite your feedback on their effectiveness. For more resources, explore the Everyday Speech Sample Materials.