Hand-Under-Hand Instruction for Children With Blindness or Low Vision

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Children who are blind or have low vision rely heavily on their senses of touch, hearing, and smell to learn about the world around them. Utilizing these senses effectively can enhance their understanding and interaction with their environment. One effective method to teach new skills and concepts is by using hand-under-hand technique, which provides tactile guidance and support during learning activities.

Understanding Hand-Under-Hand Instruction

Hand-Under-Hand Instruction involves placing your hands beneath your child’s hands as you guide them through a task. This method allows your child to feel the movements and actions you are performing, fostering a deeper understanding and skill acquisition. This also prevents your child from being forced to explore something and potentially becoming tactually defensive. Those with typical vision would be able to visually determine if touching something would be safe or feel alright. Your child with blindness or low vision is likely not able to visually determine the same insights, therefore they are likely to pull away or not want to engage even when something is safe.

Introduce the Object or Activity:

• Present something new and safe to your child.
  • Talk about it, then allow your child to touch, listen, and smell it to engage multiple senses.

Demonstrate the Activity:

• Think about all of the steps needed to do physically to be able to complete the task. For example: holding the spoon, move the spoon into the bowl, scoop the applesauce, bring the spoon to your mouth (at a slow and steady pace), open your mouth, put the spoon in your mouth, close your lips and slowly pull the spoon out of your mouth).
  • Verbally describe what you are doing to reinforce understanding.

Guide with Hand-Under-Hand:

• Place your hands under your child’s hands. Many times this works best if you are positioned behind your child facing the same direction as they are (your belly to their back).
  • Perform the task while your child’s hands remain on top, allowing them to feel the movements.
  • Verbally describe each action as you perform it.

Encourage Independent Practice:

• Allow your child to attempt the activity with your guidance.
  • Provide positive reinforcement and patience, understanding that repetition is key to learning.

Activities Benefiting from Hand-Under-Hand Instruction

Many of your daily tasks and activities your child completes during the day can benefit from using hand under hand when learning the task. You may find as your child develops the motor skills you are supporting less and less. This transition should happen naturally.

• Using a Measuring Spoon

• Buttoning Clothing

• Brushing teeth or hair

• Using Scissors

• Exploring a new toy

• Completing a puzzle or fine motor activity

Tips for Effective Hand-Under-Hand Instruction

• Positioning:
  • Work from behind your child so both hands move in the same direction.
  • For younger children, sit them on your lap. For older children, sit behind or beside them and gently reach your arms around.
• Patience and Repetition:
  • Most children require many opportunities to learn a new task.
  • Be prepared for messes and offer plenty of opportunities to practice.
• Respecting Your Child’s Comfort:
  • If your child resists, respect their feelings while gently encouraging them to try new activities. Try another time or tomorrow, try to stay positive.
  • Consult with your child’s early intervention team for tailored strategies if needed.

Benefits of Hand-Under-Hand Instruction

• Enhanced Learning:
  • Provides tactile feedback, helping children understand movements and actions.
• Develops Self-Advocacy:
  • Encourages your child to determine when they would rather not participate in an activity.
• Increased Confidence:
  • Builds independence as children become more comfortable with new tasks.
• Improved Motor Skills:
  • Develops fine motor skills through guided practice.

Letting your Child Take the Lead

Hand-under-hand instruction is a valuable technique for teaching children who are blind or have low vision. By providing tactile guidance and fostering an interactive learning environment, parents and families can help children develop essential skills with confidence and independence. Remember to be patient, offer positive reinforcement, and celebrate each achievement along the way.