Core Skills Analysis
English
Isaiah read several books with Mum and followed the words as sentences were read. By tracking the words from one to the next, Isaiah practised connecting printed text with spoken language and attending to a sentence in sequence. Isaiah also initiated reading more books, showing observable interest in continuing the shared reading activity.
Music
Isaiah took part in interactive music books as part of the reading activity. The books gave Isaiah an opportunity to experience musical content in a book-based, shared-learning context. Returning to interactive books alongside the animal and science books broadened the kinds of material Isaiah explored.
Science
Isaiah explored science books about different animals and their habitats. The books introduced Isaiah to animals and the places they live, building familiarity with the idea that living things are associated with particular environments. Looking through these books supported early observation and learning about the natural world.
Autism Language & Communication Development
During an interactive reading of Wild, Isaiah responded to Mum’s question, “Where is the lion?” by finding and pointing to the lion and saying “lion,” then adding a roar sound. This response combined understanding a spoken question, locating a pictured object, using its name, and communicating with a sound. Isaiah also initiated reading more books, an observable sign of engagement with the shared activity and an opportunity to communicate around preferred material.
Tips
Tips Build on Isaiah’s interest with a relaxed mini-unit: reread a favourite page and invite Isaiah to point, name, make an animal sound, or choose between two pictured options, allowing time for a response. Make a simple animal-and-habitat matching game using pictures from the books, then look for the same animals in a nature book or at a local park, zoo, or aquarium. Explore the music books together by listening to related animal or ocean sounds and inviting Isaiah to choose a sound or picture to match; follow Isaiah’s lead and keep participation flexible. Finish by co-creating a short picture book about an animal, its habitat, and a sound, with Isaiah choosing or pointing to the images and an adult writing the words.
Book Recommendations
- Wild by Emily Hughes: A richly illustrated picture book that connects naturally with Isaiah’s shared reading of Wild and offers opportunities to look, point, name, and talk about the story.
- The Big Book of Blue by Yuval Zommer: An illustrated exploration of sea life that extends interest in ocean animals and the environments where they live.
- The Big Book of Beasts by Yuval Zommer: A picture-rich introduction to animals that offers plenty of opportunities to notice, name, and discuss different creatures.
Learning Standards
- English — AC9E3LY04: Connects with reading practice involving phrasing and fluency; Isaiah followed words while reading sentences with Mum.
- English — AC9E3LY05: Connects with making meaning from texts; Isaiah engaged with shared books and responded to a question about an illustration in Wild.
- English — AC9E3LY02: Connects with interaction skills, including listening and responding; Isaiah responded to Mum’s question by pointing and naming the lion.
- Music — AC9AMU4D01: Provides a relevant connection to developing listening skills and exploring music through music experiences; Isaiah took part in interactive music books.
- Science — AC9S4U01: Provides a relevant connection to learning about living things and their environments; Isaiah explored books about animals and their habitats. These are curriculum links for the activity, not a formal assessment of achievement.
Try This Next
- Animal-and-habitat matching sheet: match animal pictures to habitat pictures, then name or point to each pair.
- Reading response cards: offer picture choices for “Where is the lion?” and invite Isaiah to point, say the animal’s name, or make its sound.
- Make an animal-sound page: draw or paste one animal and its habitat, then add a word or symbol for its sound.
- Book sequencing activity: place three pictures from a familiar book in story order and invite Isaiah to point to what happened first, next, and last.