What activities can we do with younger children with vision impairment that don't involve online support?

With younger children, online support is not always relevant or accessible. The information and resources below will hopefully provide some creative ideas to engage younger children while also helping them develop key skills.

RNIB

RNIB have a dedicated page with advice and information about early years support, and also some useful guides:

Let’s Play A guide to help you create fun-filled playtimes for your child to develop and explore their senses. All children love to play, but vision is just one way to explore and learn about the world. The toys in this guide have been selected by parents, children and play experts for their tactile, sound, scented, and visually stimulating play potential. The guide also suggests ways to create or adapt play activities using everyday items.

Messy and Muddy For children with vision impairment, playing outside provides the perfect opportunity to stay healthy, have fun and learn about the world. Whether it’s creating a sensory garden, ball games or just playing in the mud, this guide suggests different ways to make the most out of opportunities for outdoor play in the garden at home with your child.

Parties and Playdates Originally developed as a resource for encouraging social interaction, this guide contains many creative ideas that can be enjoyed by families at home and in the garden. NB: Please use the activity ideas within your own household only, and continue to observe the Government’s advice on social distancing.

Wonderbaby.org

Wonderbaby is an American based website dedicated to helping parents of young children with visual impairments as well as children with multiple disabilities. You can access articles written by parents who want to share information about playing with and teaching a child with a vision impairment. They also have a number of links to other resources and ways to connect with other families.

Hungry Little Minds

Hungry Little Minds is a website where you’ll find short videos and simple, fun activities broken down by age, that you can do with your children.

Guide Dogs

Guide Dogs have a number of fun ideas that children with vision impairment can do including physical and art activities that you can do with your children. There are also ideas for keeping a child active and engaged.