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Visually impaired and low vision children don’t have the same
opportunities for incidental learning nor do they have the ability
to readily imitate the behaviors of others. They often need more
time and extra help to learn what to do with toys and how to
interact with others.Many visually impaired and blind children are
resistant to touching new or different textures for many reasons.
Fear, Pain, Tactile Defensiveness, and not liking their hands
messy. Continually expose to different textures and a variety of
tactile experience as early as possible. Be Patient! Talk, Talk, Talk
Use language to describe all the world for your child.
Make everyday routines into learning experiences. Include your
child in cooking and cleaning activities. Allow them to taste,
smell and listen to what is around them. Describe everything you
hear in great detail. Ex. Foot steps, doors closing, opening a
bag, opening the refrigerator, water running, wind blowing, birds
chirping, smells of flowers in bloom and even the trash truck on
trash day. Without sight we take for granted what we learn and see
with our eyes.
KEEP SHOES OFF when indoors.
This will help to explore with toes and feet for different
floor textures and heights underfoot. Rugs, tiles, wood, carpet
are all different feeling with your feet. Be sure to allow your
child to be outside with no shoes on to experience the same
sensations. Grass, cement sidewalks, mulch, etc. . . For a child
with visual impairment mark steps within your home with bright
colored tape. Duck tape will help with depth perception.
Contrast Lighting
Color, contrast and lighting are very important in helping
a low vision child. Optimize on full visual potential.
Color - Research has proven babies are first attracted
to objects that are black and white, then to objects that are
bright, bold, primary colors, florescent or neon colors that are
reflective materials.
Contrast - When you present your child with a visual
activity pay close attention to the contrast between the object
and it’s background around you.
Lighting - Look at lighting in your home. Most children
with low vision benefit from even lighting that can be
controlled.
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