Teaching blind children using touch books
Children who are born blind make their language and mental images of the world based on their sense of hearing and touch. Blind children can access concepts and vocabulary by relying on these two senses. Because we live in a visual world, and most language codes are linked to our visual experiences, many blind children do not have a sufficient understanding of the meanings and meanings of words they learn by ear.
Most children with visual impairments have low vision. It is very important to know if a visually impaired child can see printed letters and pictures, at least in very large dimensions.
Touchbooks are important books for blind children because they reinforce their sense of humor and understanding of shapes, which helps them learn Braille. Touch picture books, which have comprehensible images for blind children, promote language learning in these children.
Many touch books based on visual ability are difficult for blind children with no visual experience to understand. It is very difficult for children who have been blind since birth to understand the prominent realistic images in picture books. If these books represent small objects that the blind child is constantly dealing with in his daily life and knows their shape, texture, and size, they will be better able to communicate with this group of children.
Blind children will no doubt love touch books, even if they do not understand all the pictures or need the help of a sighted guide to understanding them.
There are many families who have visually impaired and blind children and do not know what to do to play and raise their children? There are many kindergartens in the city that aim to create a happy atmosphere and compatible with the children’s spirits, an opportunity for new experiences, partnership, and cooperation, and finally preparation for school, community, etc.,
but this time to the art school We realized that it looks like a kindergarten, but a new way to nurture and flourish the talents of children and that is the use of visual arts for education. Most importantly, the training is in the form of workshops where all children from the visually impaired to the blind are together.
Use of sensory books in educating blind children
“In all the years I worked with children, I never thought that the child sees or does not see, walks or does not walk,” the former editor and owner of Kite Magazine and CEO of Kite School said in an interview with Salamat. , What religion is it and … every child with any kind of problem is enrolled in this art school.
Children with special needs, especially children with autism, are always here. If we find that the child is having difficulty communicating with others, we will notify the family and invite a teacher from another center to our center to meet the child’s needs. An important part of our art school is dedicated to educating blind children.
“Because my field of study was exceptional child psychology and I worked with blind children as a student, I was inclined to offer tactile books.”
When I paid more attention to these sensory-tactile books, it seemed to me that they are made of durable materials and are very attractive to children with physical disabilities and can play with them. These books do not have much text, so they are also attractive to the deaf, and deaf children are more interested in visual communication. Sensory-touch books are designed to be like toys, thus enhancing children’s curiosity, concentration, and attention.
On the other hand, there are only books that are useful for blind children, but the teachings of this kindergarten for blind children go beyond that. Education for blind children is done in different sessions. These workshops are organized with trainers and facilitators. Visual arts are used to help children.
Each child is trained to step by step by entering the workshop. It is not bad to refer to the training that is given in the workshop so that the concept of training blind children becomes more expressive for the families who have such a child and they know that these children should not be abandoned and they should be treated just like completely healthy children. Physically and mentally, he struggled and did joy and play with education.
How to teach reading to blind children is taught in special workshops
The following is an overview of 6 consecutive sessions that took place in the workshop for the blind:
• The first session of making a cat with the help of origami art: In this session, we first draw the child’s attention to the cat’s voice and food. Then a song by Samin Baghcheban with the story of a mouse and a cat will be played. Origami cats are then made and placed on their hands and feet.
• The second session of the bird-making workshop with the help of collage art: In this program, the names of some birds are said for children and their voices are imitated. We even listen to the real sound of some birds with the player. Before starting work, the lined papers are cut with scissors with a sewing roll. The facilitators make small and large circular cuts on the paper, then put feathers of different colors on them, and finally the bird’s eyes and feet. Finally, the children take on the role of a bird and fly with the sound of the song, and when the sound stops, they go to the chairs that are like trees.
• The third session of making animals with the art of sculpture: In this workshop, children tear newspapers into different sizes and roll them and talk to each other from inside. Then they are told that everyone should make their favorite animal. The facilitator also helps the child to build the animal’s head and body. During the construction, there is talk about animal food and so on. The children then imitate the animal walking.
• The fourth session of recognizing clothes: talking about the type of clothes, color, etc. Children touch each other’s clothes and learn which environment each dress is suitable for. When it comes to buying fabrics, the steps of sewing clothes and sewing tools are also discussed. They are also taught sewing and simple dosing.
• The fifth session of getting acquainted with music: the drum instrument is introduced and how to make it is discussed. Children learn how to make drums with glasses and balloons and how to play in unison. The next instrument is the bells. Then the children choose any instrument they like and start playing and singing poems with it and play emotional and musical games with each instrument.
Session 6, Demonstration and Orientation: In this session, children should introduce themselves. Simple objects around the touch and are called. The coach throws them in the basket and the children find the mentioned objects one by one. After the child says the names of the objects, the teacher reads a poem about them. Imaginary play is also done. Children have a brief acquaintance with the car.
The child sits in a chair and the coach or another child takes on the role of horn, steering wheel, gas, etc. so that the driver child can travel. There are 2 instructors in this workshop, one of whom teaches orientation to the child. The child should walk on the edge of the carpet and feel the difference between the root and the middle of the carpet by touching the foot and practice so that if his device falls on the carpet, he can find it.
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