Out of Sight Teaching

Introduction to Building Cognitive Maps In order to independently orient themselves to their environment, individuals who are visually impaired are taught to systematically build maps in their head. It is often referred to as building a cognitive or mental map. This is a process that is introduced at a young age and is expanded upon as one proceeds through life. Something I have observed over and over again through my years as an Orientation & Mobility Instructor is the importance of having strong cognitive mapping skills. You can have fantastic mobility skills, but if you do not understand the environment you are traveling or do not have the ability to independently orient yourself to a novel environment, independent travel is going to be a struggle. Building strong cognitive mapping skills starts during early intervention and is built on as one proceeds through life. It start with first gaining the skill, then learning to apply it. With time, one will be able to independentl...

Teaching Pre-Braille Remotely Teaching a 4-year old Pre-Braille remotely has had its  challenges.   Shouldn't they be learning through play? How am I going to teach a tactual concept through the computer?  How am I going to remotely expand their concept development? Suddenly, 10 years into my career, I felt like a first year teacher again Now, 10 months into remote learning, I feel like we are finally in a groove.  Each week we explore a new theme. Needed materials for that themes are sent to the student in the mail via "Free Matters of the Blind" Some of our favorite themes have been: 1.) Meet the Chef 2.) Meet the Building 3.) A Visit to the Doctor 4.) A Fishing We Will Go During each theme, we explore the objects identified with the theme.  A list of the needed objects is sent to the parent/guardian in advance,  so that they can collect them and have them ready.  If it is an object that they would not have easily accessible, it is sent to ...

As we all know, toddlers and preschool students learn best through play. When working with a student who is blind, that is the key age to get in those pre-braille skills. Below, I listed a few of my favorite pre-braille games/activities. Feel free to comment and share your child's as well!  Candyland Make Candyland tactile by assigning each color its own texture. Now your child can participate in game time with his or her peers AND is learning to match and identify textures.   (I can't take credit for this idea because I stole it from my amazing supervising teacher during student teaching.) Dominoes A couple years ago, my grandfather asked me to go through his game closet and take anything I thought my students may enjoy. I was lucky enough to come across   Pavilion Games: Double 12 Dominoes. These dominoes pieces are actually tactile which make them perfect for practicing Pre-Braille skills!  Go Fish   Create a tactile Go Fi...