[blparent] bells on shoes

Sun May 25 18:47:13 UTC 2014

While I mostly agree with you, I will not have children thinking anything
special has to happen because I'm blind.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michelle
Creedy via blparent
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2014 11:59 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] bells on shoes

Erin, wow, wonderful! It sounds like you have managed to really empower your
son and yourself.

Michelle

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Erin Rumer
via blparent
Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2014 8:39 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] bells on shoes

Yes, a child is going to try taking off their bells at some point which is
natural and expected.  The key is being positive and matter of fact about
the whole subject.  My son tried taking his bells off only a couple of times
and learned very quickly that if he messes with his bells then the play is
over and he gets to sit on the sidelines until he's ready to play again with
his bells on.  He got the idea really fast and associated the bells with
playing freely and getting to run around.  I also made a strong effort to
explain to my son that the bells are the only way for me to really know
exactly where he is and that's how I can keep him safe while allowing him to
be free and play along with the other kids...  To be honest, I love that my
son learned to make the choice to keep the bells on rather than it being
something that is just done to him.  It proved to be a great way to teach
rewards and consequences.  Having a long enough Velcro strap also helps
younger tots from taking the bells off easily and other kids for that
matter.  I am extremely active with my son so I needed and wanted something
that I can get on him in a matter of seconds and take off of him quickly as
well.  I also used to use a small bell on a carabineer that I'd hang from
his belt loop but that began to annoy him a lot and get snagged on things on
the playground which I decided wasn't safe.  The bells around the ankle are
also nice because their feet are always moving so it provides a more exact
location and when the bells stop you know for sure that your child has
stopped moving.  As my son gets older I am slowly beginning to take his
bells off more and more in specific situations and teaching him to do more
of a Marko-Polo type response with me.  I've also worked a lot with my
little guy to tell me when he's moving onto the next area of play which has
proven very helpful to me and teaches him to check-in and not just go
running off to whatever he's got his eye on.  Just yesterday we went to one
of our favorite places which is the Science Museum here in San Diego and it
warmed my heart to see how at only 3.5 years old he's describing exhibits in
detail to share the enjoyment with me.   

Have a great holiday weekend!

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brandy W.,
with Discovery Toys via blparent
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2014 10:00 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] bells on shoes

I use those outside sometime, but prepared some kids will take them off. For
those children I use a diaper pin to secure the Velcro, or put on a overall
strap in the back. I really use all these different methods because I have 3
to 5 toddlers and by using different techniques I can tell the kids apart so
I know who is trying to roun out front or who is messing with the trash can
etc. 

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Erin Rumer
via blparent
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 11:01 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] bells on shoes

Hi Tara!

A lot of kid's toy stores or learning stores sell bells that are on a Velcro
strap that can be easily wrapped around the ankle.  This is what I've used
since my son could walk and absolutely love it.  It allows my son to be
active and independent while keeping my blood pressure at a healthy level.
LOL!  When my son began growing I simply had someone who knows how to sow
add on an extra piece of Velcro to lengthen the strap.  The bells have
always been a positive thing to my son because they stand for freedom and I
can't tell you how many sighted parents I know tell me how they are running
out and getting a set of bells for their kid because they are ingenious!  I
also hear other kids asking their parents if they can have some bells as
well which makes my son feel special.  They are most definitely not a tool
for just parents who are blind but an amazing and practical tool for all.  I
have a friend who's sighted who got them for her son so she can have another
way to keep track of him while her younger child is also running around.
What's especially cool about this is we've learned that because of the bells
I too can help my friend keep track of her son at a distance and because our
kids have different sounding bells I can easily identify who is who.

Best to you!

Erin

From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brandy W.,
with Discovery Toys via blparent
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 7:57 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] bells on shoes

You can get them at nearly any craft store, and either a heavy dooty Pease
of string or yarn, or very thin tie wrap will do the trick. Either attach it
securely through one of the wholes where the shoe lace goes through, or on
the side of a mary jane strap, or the first lace nearest the toe so it can't
be slid off. I either do these options, or often use squeaky shoes, or
sometimes rist bells I thread through their clothing. All works great. 

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tara Briggs
via blparent
Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2014 9:39 AM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: [blparent] bells on shoes

Dear all:
How does one go about putting bells on a kid's shoes? Where do you get the
bells and what do you do to put them securely on the shoes?
Thanks
Tara

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