Play on own with a chosen activity
When to use this goal
For young students who choose an activity but leave it within a minute or two and wander or seek an adult. Base the choice on timed observation, not grade. Short independent play gives the student and the family real free time.
- Baseline
- Time 5 or more free-choice periods from when the student starts with the activity to when they leave it for more than about 30 seconds. Note what they left for (an adult, another activity, nothing). Start from an interest inventory with the student and family, and offer age-matched choices; a preferred repetitive activity is a valid way to relax, not a problem to fix.
- Tips
- Count play in the student's own way, including lining up, sorting, or repeating actions, as long as they are using the materials. Moving to another chosen activity on their own is not a failure; record it and keep timing total independent play if the team prefers.
- Limits
- Duration depends a lot on the activity; rotate a few favorites. Does not measure playing with peers; see the play and social participation skill for that.
Original IEP Atlas template based on general measurement principles; not copied from any goal bank. ID fn-lei-002.
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Goal
By the annual IEP review date, during free choice time, after choosing an activity from the choice board, the student will independently play with the chosen activity by using the materials in their own way, without needing an adult to keep them going for at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days, as measured by duration recording collected daily during free choice time.
Baseline: 2 minutes.
- Condition
- Observable behavior
- Criterion
- Measurement method
Measurability check11 of 11 met
Met: Observable behavior. Stated as an action.
Met: Condition. Stated.
Met: Unit fits the behavior. Duration fits this behavior.
Met: Explicit criterion. Number and unit stated.
Met: Mastery rule and schedule. Both stated.
Met: Method produces the metric. Duration recording gives duration data.
Met: Review timeframe. Stated.
Met: Baseline and target compatible. Same unit, change in the right direction.
Met: Aligned with area of need. Still about Leisure & Recreation.
Met: Level of support. Defined.
Met: Blanks filled in. Nothing left to fill in.
Checks structure and wording only. Whether the goal fits the student is the team's call.
Short-term objectives (optional)
When are objectives required?Required for students on alternate assessments (34 CFR §300.320(a)(2)(ii)); some states require them for everyone.
Paste into your IEP system
Most district systems have a separate box for each part of a goal. Copy them one at a time, or all at once as labeled text.
- Area of need
- Functional & Independence Skills - Leisure & Recreation
- Baseline
- 2 minutes.
- Annual goal385 characters
- By the annual IEP review date, during free choice time, after choosing an activity from the choice board, the student will independently play with the chosen activity by using the materials in their own way, without needing an adult to keep them going for at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days, as measured by duration recording collected daily during free choice time.
- Timeframe
- By the annual IEP review date
- Condition
- During free choice time, after choosing an activity from the choice board
- Behavior
- The student will independently play with the chosen activity by using the materials in their own way, without needing an adult to keep them going
- Criteria
- For at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days
- Evaluation method
- Duration recording
- Schedule
- Daily during free choice time
Copied as plain text, with straight quotes and plain dashes.
Matching data sheet
Duration tracker. Records start and end times.
Duration tracker
Duration- Student label:
- Target:
- for at least 8 minutes
- Mastery rule:
- on 4 of 5 consecutive school days
- Collection schedule:
- daily during free choice time
- Method:
- Duration recording
- Data collector:
Goal: By the annual IEP review date, during free choice time, after choosing an activity from the choice board, the student will independently play with the chosen activity by using the materials in their own way, without needing an adult to keep them going for at least 8 minutes, on 4 of 5 consecutive school days, as measured by duration recording collected daily during free choice time.
| Date | Activity / context | Start time | End time | Duration (minutes) | Target duration | Support levele.g., independent, 1 verbal prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview shows 4 of 12 rows.
- Start timing when the defined behavior begins and stop when it ends, using the definitions agreed by the team.
- The goal is reached when duration is at least the target (8 minutes).
- Note interruptions that weren't caused by the student.
The CSV opens in Excel or Google Sheets, with formulas. Sheets print blank; no student data is stored.