admin, Author at ConnectCenter

Encouraging Listening in the Kindergarten Classroom for Children Who Are Blind or Low Vision

From the book Learning to Listen/Listening to Learn: Teaching Listening Skills to Students with Visual Impairments edited by Lizbeth A. Barclay. By kindergarten, it is important that most of the basic auditory perception and discrimination skills be in place for children with blindness or low vision as academics are beginning in earnest. Children must maintain […]

Helping Students Who Are Blind or Low Vision Manage Classroom Work and Homework

Cute happy schoolgirl puts stationery in a backpack.

Teachers and parents sometimes find it hard to decide or agree on how much classroom work and homework to require of a student with blindness or low vision. Your child’s teachers may shorten assignments or extend deadlines occasionally. If that happens frequently, your child might begin to expect the same sort of treatment in high […]

Reading and Making Tactile Books with Your Child

Hands using scissors to cut paper with tactile materials behind to make a book.

Reading to your child helps them in many ways. It teaches new ideas, improves talking skills, and prepares them for learning to read. If your child is blind or has low vision, you can make reading more fun by using books with things to touch. This is called tactile reading. Even if your child has […]

Orientation and Mobility Activities for Families of Blind/Low Vision Children

Two boys playing a game of large floor checkers.

Here are some fun activities that can help reinforce orientation and mobility (O&M) skills for children who are blind or have low vision. These activities are great for children aged six and up, including siblings, cousins, or friends. Feel free to modify and expand on these as you discover what your child enjoys. In the […]

Growth and Development for My Baby with Blindness or Low Vision

A little girl playing with natural materials.

Infants and toddlers grow so quickly and learn so many things. In the beginning, if they are not sleeping, they’re eating or needing a diaper change. Believe it or not, there are things you can do with your infant to help them learn. Your child may need a little extra help learning things. Your child […]