Summer Fun

Retrieved and modified from tapcanes.blogspot.com

StartFragmentImmerse yourself in braille, cooking, cane travel, and industrial arts under learning shades along with the heat of a perfect Louisiana summer. Any takers?? As the click ruler and I slowly became friends, confidence and independence followed. Being immersed in alternative techniques allows you as a teacher of blind students, a parent of a blind child, and blind individuals to experience an independent life. Details, details, details! The importance of paying attention to detail range from getting yourself out of a parking lot when you're suppose to be on the sidewalk, being able to cut off 2/16 of an inch when you have a specific measurement, and reading the entire braille label when looking for baking soda to ensure you do not choose the baking powder. I know what I did four summers ago!

Every summer is filled with new experiences and opportunities. As children are enjoying their summer break, please remember to continue to immerse them in braille and alternative techniques. Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) programs are up and running in a state near you. This program provides students with experiences in reading, writing, cane travel, cooking/preparing a meal, and interacting with their peers among other activities.

The importance of being a blind child is that experiences and opportunities to use blindness skills occur throughout the year. Here's a guide:

Summer Reading

Choose books that is interesting to your child/student

Reading should occur on a daily basis

Read aloud to your child and have them read aloud to you

Make it fun- read on the lawn, on the porch, at the pool, at the park, in the car

Summer Cooking

Make lemonade, smoothies, homemade ice cream

Make pizza (English muffin style)

Make trail mix (M&Ms, pretzels, cheese squares) or use your personal favorites

Summer Cane Travel

Take your child with cane in hand to the park or pool

Allow them to play hide and seek under learning shades with friends (use a clue word like "pizza" for those searching for the hiders, the hiders have to make a sound when the word is spoken)

Go downtown and practice crossing streets or finding the local bakery

Summer Arts and Crafts

Make drawings with wikki stix or on the braille writer

Take out the play dough

Take out the pipe cleaners, craft sticks, glitter glue, and foam stickers

Summer Independent Living Skills

Have your child/student wash, dry, and fold their laundry

Have your child/student complete chores each week (sweep, vacuum, wash dishes, dust)

Go grocery shopping with a shopping assistant

The importance of being a child during the summer is to have fun! So have fun during these hot summer days with cane in hand and hands on braille.

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