[blindkid] Introducing your child to new people

[WILLIAM CUCCO]

Hi Carolynn,

How old is your son?  Does he know how to play with other kids?  Does he like doing that?  If he doesn't, maybe you could work on play opportunities with other kids--could be siblings or cousins--doesn't have to be friends--where you KNOW he would have fun--make the activity something you know he loves to do and somehow make the playing with the other kid a fun part of it.

Regarding the teacher--maybe you could let her know that he is still learning how to interact with other children and that if she could facilitate that it would be great. 

We also found that role playing was helpful when Serena was young.  She, too, would ignore the greetings of others.  So we practiced various greetings and possible responses.  In the actual situations, many times we would coach her through, reminding her and sometimes feeding her the words to use.

Hope this helps.

Carol




________________________________
From: Carly <e400clb at yahoo.com>
To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 2:20:26 PM
Subject: [blindkid] Introducing your child to new people

I am wondering if any of you could offer some pointers about how you introduce your blind child to new people, particularly in a social setting where there are lots of people? For instance, in visiting a new church. How do you introduce your child to new adults and new children? How do you direct your child to respond? My son will often "ignore" the greetings of other people. He is low vision, and he will buzz around a room, putting his face 2 inches from each table and toy to examine it, rushing past people without acknowledging their presence. The Sunday school teacher asks me if he needs anything special. I tell her that she can encourage him to sit close to the front if there is a story or movie, but otherwise, that she should not allow him to do anything the other kids aren't allowed to do, and to expect him to do what they do (to not fail to participate). However, I feel like I'm missing a lot in terms of offering direction to him and to them.
Also, to the other children who stare at his dark glasses and cane. I want to be able to offer some reassurance that their curiosity is fine, and what this is all about. Suggestions greatly appreciated! Thanks! :) Carolynn


      
_______________________________________________
blindkid mailing list
blindkid at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindkid:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindkid_nfbnet.org/carol_castellano%40verizon.net