In the incidental teaching method, what is a teacher required to do consistently?

In the incidental teaching method, a teacher is required to be hypervigilant for teaching opportunities. This approach emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing natural, spontaneous moments in a child's environment to promote learning and communication skills. By staying alert and responsive to these moments, the teacher can create meaningful interactions that encourage the child to engage and produce language.

The focus of incidental teaching is on leveraging everyday situations and the child's interests to facilitate learning, which is essential for fostering effective communication. This attentiveness allows the teacher to adapt teaching strategies and responses based on the child's needs and readiness, making the learning experience more relevant and impactful.

In contrast, other options do not align with the principles of incidental teaching. Remaining passive during instruction would hinder opportunities for engagement, and encouraging only structured activities may limit the natural learning instances that arise in a child's daily routine. Additionally, providing extensive verbal instructions can overwhelm the child and detract from the spontaneous communication that incidental teaching aims to promote.