Do you have any ideas on how to encourage play and learning in babies and children with a visual impairment?
When children are playing, they are doing much more than simply enjoying themselves – they are learning to make sense of the world using all their senses: taste, smell, touch, hearing and sight. Young children with a vision impairment may need encouragement and support to explore toys and materials and to play with other children. You can help your child by:
- Observing your child’s behaviour closely to find out what interests them
- Giving enriched descriptions of what they are doing and what you are doing
- Providing a commentary so that your child learns about the things they cannot see
- Providing rich experiences which build on your child’s interests
- Giving them choice and control when they’re playing
- Making sure your child can engage with an activity in their own way
- Making sure your child is in the most suitable position to use hands and eyes to best advantage, whether seated, standing or lying down
- Keeping toys within reach so that any of your child’s movements can create an effect
- Allowing your child to explore objects with their mouth or feet as well as encouraging them to use their hands.
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