Publish In 2025-01-08

Learning Language Where It Matters Most
For children with language delays, learning does not have to occur in a structured classroom alone. Natural Environment Teaching (NET), a powerful strategy in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), focuses on teaching language and communication skills in the places where they are naturally used—during meals, play, and daily routines. NET ensures that learning is meaningful, functional, and engaging, helping children integrate skills seamlessly into their everyday lives.

What Is Natural Environment Teaching (NET)?

NET is an ABA approach that prioritizes teaching in natural, everyday settings. Unlike traditional methods like Discrete Trial Training (DTT), which often involve repetitive drills in a controlled environment, NET incorporates learning opportunities into real-life activities. This approach emphasizes teaching skills in contexts where they are naturally required, ensuring that children can apply what they learn in practical situations.

For example, instead of teaching a child to request a toy during a structured session, NET might involve teaching the child to ask for their favorite snack during snack time or to request help with a puzzle during play.

Difference Between NET and Discrete Trial Training (DTT)

Both NET and DTT are effective ABA strategies but differ in their approach and application:

While DTT is valuable for teaching foundational skills in a structured manner, NET excels in fostering functional communication and ensuring skills are relevant to daily life.

Using Daily Routines to Encourage Communication

Daily routines offer numerous opportunities for teaching language skills in a way that feels natural and engaging. By embedding language instruction into these activities, practitioners can make learning seamless and enjoyable:

1. Mealtime:

   • Teach requests (mands) such as “Can I have water?”
   • Practice labeling (tacts) food items like “apple” or “juice.”
   • Introduce descriptive words like “hot” or “sweet.”

2. Bath Time:

   • Teach action words like “wash” or “pour.”
   • Label body parts, e.g., “hands,” “feet.”

3. Grocery Shopping:

   • Engage in labeling items, e.g., “banana,” “milk.”
   • Teach requesting by asking for specific groceries.
   • Practice counting and identifying colors.

Play-Based Strategies for Language Development

Play is a natural medium for children to learn, and it provides endless opportunities for language instruction. Here’s how play can be harnessed for communication skills:

• Imaginative Play:
  Encourage the child to use language while engaging in pretend play with dolls, blocks, or action figures. For example, they could create scenarios and describe actions like “The car is racing.”

• Interactive Games:
  Use games that require turn-taking or verbal interaction, such as board games or charades, to practice conversational skills.

• Structured Play Activities:
  Guide the child to request specific items or describe what they are doing during play, such as asking for a blue crayon or explaining their drawing.

Benefits of Natural Environment Teaching (NET)

NET offers several distinct advantages:

1. Generalized Learning:
   Skills taught in natural environments are more likely to generalize across settings and situations. A child who learns to request water at home can more easily apply the skill at a restaurant.

2. Increased Motivation:
   By integrating teaching into activities the child already enjoys, NET boosts engagement and reduces resistance.

3. Functional Language Development:
   Language learned through NET is practical and immediately useful, helping children navigate their everyday world more effectively.

Case Study: Embedding Language Instruction in Snack Time

Scenario: A therapist works with a six-year-old child who struggles with communication. During snack time, the therapist uses NET to teach mands (requests).

Steps Taken:

1. The therapist presents two snack options (e.g., crackers and apple slices).
2. The child is prompted to request their preferred snack using a word or gesture (e.g., “crackers”).
3. When the child successfully makes the request, they are immediately rewarded with the snack.

Outcome: The child learns to use functional communication to express their needs, reinforcing the value of language in their daily life.

Conclusion

Natural Environment Teaching (NET) bridges the gap between structured learning and real-world application. By embedding language instruction into everyday activities, NET ensures that communication skills are functional, relevant, and engaging. This approach not only enhances a child’s ability to communicate but also empowers them to navigate their environment with confidence.

References:

• Schreibman, L., & Koegel, R. L. (1996). Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support in children with autism.
• Higbee, T. S. (2006). Implementing Natural Environment Teaching (NET) in ABA.
• Gernsbacher, M. A. (2015). The Role of Language Development in the Behavioral Treatment of Autism.