Melisa Matthews, Author at ConnectCenter

Enhancing Play in Preschoolers

Play is essential for all children. While technology and toys have changed over time, the benefits of play have not. Play helps children learn and engage with the world around them. It also helps them develop social skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity. Your child may need additional support to learn how to play and interact […]

Encouraging Babies and Toddlers to Play

Little boy playing on his tommy with a toy.

Children show interest in toys and activities from a young age; they typically begin engaging with objects or people in repetitive patterns. You can discover your child’s play patterns by watching them play independently or with others. These patterns are called schemas. Schemas enable children to learn about the world around them. We will break […]

Digital Resources from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

Posted on October 19, 2023 - 10:38 am by Melisa Matthews

A student wearing glasses uses an iPad in the classroom.

Your child may come home with a school iPad, Chromebook, or laptop, and you may be aware of increased digital instruction and activities. You may need resources to help your child’s team ensure the technology is usable for your child. The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) conducted the Access and Engagement research serie and […]

Coloboma

Umbrella in different colors among other black and white umbrellas as light shines through clouds.

What Is a Coloboma? A coloboma is a cleft or gap in some part of the eye, such as the iris, lens, optic nerve, or retina, caused by a defect in the development of the eyeball. The extent to which a coloboma affects a person’s vision depends on the size and location of the cleft […]

Let’s Learn About APH Braille Displays

Posted on August 30, 2023 - 10:21 am by Melisa Matthews

Join us for a brief overview of the Mantis Q40 and Chameleon 20 braille displays! We’ll also discuss other braille displays and braille literacy and have time for questions. Mantis vs Chameleon If you’re unfamiliar, the Mantis and Chameleon have similar software but differ in key ways. The first and most obvious difference is that the Mantis has […]