Snack is not all about ‘feeding’ the students- 😜 we do make sure kids are not hungry while learning at school. However, the most important reason that I plan and run a ‘daily snack’ activity is that it is a great time to teach many different skills- Plus, students are HIGHLY motivated and engaged!!
What Skills can You Teach?
- Sight words reading by reading a menu
- Money concept (names and values) by buying and getting changes
- Social Skills (waiting, turn-taking, etc.)
- Manding, tacting, interverbal skills
- Picture exchange communication for PECS users
- Daily living skills (prepping snacks, making popcorn, cleaning up afterward.)
In the more inclusive schools, snack and lunch time can be great times to mingle with peers in different classes working on social skills. My middle school special day class was pretty contained on ourselves due to their behavior challenges. In either way, don’t pour out the half bag of popcorn into your student’s plate! Make each moment a teaching moment!
Everyday Teaching Autism Resources 
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