Natural Environments
The New York State Early Intervention Program encourages services to be provided in natural environments whenever appropriate. A natural environment is a place where your child and family spend time during everyday life.
Natural environments may include:
- Your home
- Childcare or preschool
- A playground
- The library
- The grocery store
- A restaurant
- Places of worship
- Public transportation
- Other places your family visits regularly
Natural environments are more than just places. They also include your family's everyday routines and activities, such as mealtimes, bath time, getting dressed, bedtime, playing, shopping, family gatherings, and visits with friends.
Children learn best through everyday experiences. Providing Early Intervention services during familiar routines and activities helps children practice new skills where they naturally live, learn, and play. It also helps families learn ways to support their child's development throughout the day.
In some situations, the IFSP team may decide that a service should be provided in another setting if that is needed to meet your child's individual needs. If a service is not provided in a natural environment, the IFSP must include the reason why.
Working together, you and your IFSP team will decide where Early Intervention services can best support your child's development and your family's daily routines.
