Toys and Play for children who are blind or partially sighted ... - RNIB

This is part of a series of BTHA funded educational literature aimed atimproving the lives of children with special needs. This leaflet has beenprepared in association with Godfrey Hall MA. Dip. Ed. F.Coll. P. and theRoyal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).Toys & Play for children who areBlind orpartially sightedRoyal National Institute of BlindPeople (RNIB) estimates thatthere are around 25,000 childrenin Britain under the age of 16 whosesevere sight problems affect theireducation.The term ‘visual impairment’ refers tochildren who are either blind or partiallysighted.o ‘Blind’ means a high degree of visionloss, seeing much less than is typicalor perhaps nothing at all. Most blindchildren can see something (light anddark, or movement), but not verymucho ‘Partial sight’ is a less severe loss ofvision which cannot be corrected bywearing spectacles though they mighthelp to make vision better.Most blind or partially sighted childrenhave their sight problem from birth. Asmall number of children lose their sightthrough illness or accident.A high proportion (estimated 40%) ofblind and partially sighted children haveadditional needs, including learning,movement and communicationdifficulties.Choosing the righttypes of toysUsing the criteria below when selectingtoys will encourage children to developtheir skills while having fun at the sametime. Both are equally important! Thecriteria are intended to make best use ofany residual vision, and to develop othersensory skills such as the sense of touch,which is important for children who willlearn to read in braille.Try to select a toy that:o Has good colour and tone contrastsuch as yellow edging for each holeon a blue shape sorter to make thedifferent shapes easier to locateo Has bold and clear lettering whichis easier to see such as bold blacknumbers on a white backgroundfor a play clocko Reflects light or is fluorescent such asdiffractive paper with a torch to attractyour child’s attention or a pull alongtoy with flashing lightso Encourages children to use their eyesto follow an object such as wind uptoys that move slowly across a surfaceto develop a child’s tracking skillso Encourages development of hand-eyeco-ordination such as posting boxes orsand trays with pourers and scoopersso that your child is able to look andreach more accuratelyo Encourages good co-ordination ofhands, using both hands together suchas construction toys with blocks orbricks that fit together and pull apartto build up strength and dexterityo Encourages development of fine fingercontrol that your child may need ifthey read through touch e.g. toy pianosor plasticine with a variety of tools or awashing line and pegso Has an interesting texture which offerssome variety to touch which is easier todiscriminate such as an elephant with

LOOK OUT FOR THIS SYMBOL!Toys with this symbol contain small parts that couldbe swallowed and cause a choking hazard. Theyshould only be given to children over 3 years or ofa more advanced development.Toys & Play for children who are blind or partially sighteddifferent textured parts: corduroy feet,leather body, chain tail and a crinklytrunk so that your child can tell thedifference between different texturesand surfaceso Has moving parts that encourage littlefingers to explore e.g. activity cubes oran abacuso Has discrete pieces that can bediscriminated by touch e.g. a woodenpuzzle board which has different shapedpieces with clear contrasting edgeso Has switches that are recognisableby touch as on or off, and click whenoperated so that a child knows whatthey have done e.g. toy cookers thathave knobs that click or toy vacuumcleanerso Encourages understanding of causeand effect e.g. rattles for hands or feetthat encourage your child to move tomake a noise or a drum and beatero Makes a sound or other cue to anaction having occurred so that yourchild knows that they have madesomething happen, such as a workbench with nuts that click when youuse the screwdrivero Encourages physical play e.g. pushalong toys like prams or trolleys, andtrundle trikes so that your child isconfident to move aroundo Encourages development of sense ofsmell such as smelly pens and crayonsor scented water for water play so thatyour child begins to use smell as anextra cue to find things or to knowwhere they are.Creating a play environment for your childToys and play materials arean important way of enablingchildren to discover a varietyof sensory experiences.The following play tips will helpmaximise your child’s developmentwhilst making them feel safe andcomfortable:o Give your child plenty of time toexplore new things. It takes muchlonger to understand and processhow a toy works by touch than itdoes by looking at ito All children need opportunitiesto experience challenge, riskand excitement in a way that isappropriate for themo It is essential to watch and listen toyour child’s reactions (filming yourchild can be a useful tool for this)to work out what stimulates themand what they enjoyo Talk to your specialist teacher forchildren with visual impairment*about colour, contrast, lighting andusing plain backgrounds. Try to findout if your child sees better on oneside, or if objects should be presentedin a particular positiono Make sure that your child is in themost suitable position to use theirhands and eyes to best advantage,whether seated, standing or lyingo Define and limit the play spacearound your child to create a “den”or secure familiar base to playo Keep toys within easy reach so thatyour child’s movements can create aneffect. This might mean suspendingtoys above a child lying down, orputting objects in a table-top trayor shallow boxo If toys roll out of reach, try to takeyour child to the toy, rather thanbringing the toy back to your child.This will develop searching andmobility skillso Use language that is simple, shortand descriptive and relates to whatyour child is doingo If your child has repeated behaviours,try to develop them into a morecreative activityo Your child needs different partners,spaces, materials and objects for play.If you build on what your child isinterested in, you will encourage themto try new things, feel confident toface future challenges and take withthem a great attitude to learning.*Contact RNIB Helpline on0303 123 9999 for the contactdetails of your local specialistteacher. For more information visitwww.rnib.org.uk

Toys & Play for children who are blind or partially sightedGrowing throughdifferent types of playChildren develop through play frombirth. Different types of play can helpto develop a range of skills. Blind andpartially sighted children may have towork harder to use their visual skills,which can be tiring. Also, they may bemore reliant on their tactile and listeningskills than other children as they growand learn.Exploratory play encourages the useof motor skills, stimulates the sensesof touch, hearing and vision, andintroduces cause and effect. It extendschildren’s interest in their environmentand encourages them to make senseof the world around by being curious,experimenting and making connections.Imaginary/pretend play enableschildren to act out roles and situationsthat are familiar and unfamiliar tothem. They can practise daily routineslike shopping and cooking and explorefantasy ideas by dressing up. Childrenneed experience of real things before theyunderstand ‘toy’ versions.Constructing and creating enablesyour child to express their thoughts,ideas and feelings and to develop anunderstanding of different objects,materials and tools. This can be througharts and crafts, movement and dance,sound and music, building things andtaking them apart.Games and puzzles provide challengesand encourage problem solving. Theycan give children an opportunity toask questions, understand rules set byothers, and to share collaborative playwith a larger group of children forlonger periods.Physical play gives childrenopportunities to develop body controland co-ordination of large movements,fine manipulative skills, spatial awarenessand balance. Children need large andsmall equipment, indoors and outdoors,to be active and develop confidence intheir movements.Outdoor play in new mown grass,leaves, mud, water, snow or sand allcontribute to a varied sensory experience.Play in outdoor spaces can encouragemovement and mobility, and can enablemore boisterous physical play.“toptip”Everyday items canextend a child’s experience ofthe real world through play. Make a Treasure Basketusing a sturdy, shallow basket, containing a collectionof everyday items. The items might include a bunch ofkeys, teddy bear, paper, ribbons, a whisk, a wooden eggcupor a lemon. These items will vary in weight, size, texture,colour, taste, temperature and sound. Objects should bewashable, disposable or replaceable. Children will use all oftheir senses to discover what an object is, what it islike and what it can do.Further informationGet toy updates in Insight magazine.Insight, RNIB’s magazine for parentsand professionals, will have a regularsection featuring new toys for blind andpartially sighted children. Find out morefrom rnib.org.uk/insightmagazineA clear print version of this leafletis also available.