Resource
What Do I Need Right Now?
Identify an ordinary participation need and choose from supports actually available. Includes a two-page A4 printable, specific educator guidance, adaptations and a cut-off quick-reference card.
Ready for a real OSHC session
Preview both printable pages
Download 2-page practical printableCheck the preview, printing notes and licence before use.
When this resource is useful
The page makes access and participation options visible without diagnosing a child or requiring an emotional label.
What children do
Circle, point or draw. There is no wrong way to feel, and choosing nothing yet is allowed.
Materials and preparation
Materials: Printed pages and pencils; use only the optional ordinary materials named on the page.
Allow about 2 minutes to print and place the resource. The activity itself usually takes 10 minutes and can pause when the group needs to transition.
Run the activity
Cross out unavailable options and state when choices can change. Keep completed pages private.
The child-facing prompts are:
- SPACE: quieter or more room
- PEOPLE: alone, beside someone or together
- MOVEMENT: still, gentle or active
- TASK: familiar, new or continue later
- COMMUNICATION: talk, point, draw or wait
- TOOLS: different size, grip or visual support
- HELP: ask a trusted adult
- OTHER: draw or explain another need
Adapt participation
Simpler way to join: Offer three physical choice cards.
More challenge: Audit which listed supports require a change to the program environment.
Children may draw, dictate, point, work beside a peer, observe or join later. Start, Explore and Extend labels describe task routes, not children.
Extend the idea
- Create a service-wide access menu.
- Design a non-written version with child-approved symbols.
Safety and privacy
Do not use the page to delay urgent medical, safeguarding or inclusion-plan responses.
Learning opportunities
Look for agency, communication, environmental awareness and help-seeking choices. Record what children choose, explain, test or revise rather than treating completion as proof of learning.
Checking an open-ended response
There is no single required answer. A useful response follows the printed condition and can be explained, demonstrated or revised by the child.
Printing notes
Print at actual size on A4 paper. Page one is child-facing. Page two contains educator guidance and a dashed cut-off reference card that can be kept with the activity or laminated.
