[Nfb-krafters-korner] Hello everybody!

[Ramona Walhof]

Dick, you are doing a great thing with your nephew!  Mostly, things that 
feel right probably are!  The more he finds things with his cane, the more 
he is likely to want to use it.  Don't hesitate to encourage him to 
investigate, even things off the ground if there is nobody in the way.  The 
cane can find low-hanging limbs on trees, fire hydrants, playground 
equipment, toys to pick up off the floor, and you have already thought of 
much of this.

Does he know the Braille alphabet and numbers.  If so, you can try simple 
card games, such as war or fish or uno. Decks of cards are available from 
the Independence market, Independent Living Aids, and other places that sell 
things adapted for use by the blind.
My granddaughter introduced me to a new game that requires no sight as you 
buy it right off the shelf.  It is called monkola, but maybe a different 
spelling.  It is a woodenboard with indentations in it and sort of flattish 
beads.  No color issues, and no markings on the board.  The beads are large 
enough that they are not hard to handle, but toddlers might put them in 
their mouths.   I was delighted to find it because so many of the things 
kids now do are visual.  .

Ramona
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dick Carlson" <dick.carlson0428 at earthlink.net>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>; 
"'List for blind crafters and artists'" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 3:50 AM
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Hello everybody!


> Hello everybody!!
>
> I bring you greetings not only from me this time but also from a pretty 
> happy six-year-old who is sound asleep...has been for a few hours.  He's 
> going to be staying with me for a few days, as he's off from school this 
> week for Christmas.  I have the week off as well.  He came this morning.
>
> First, I want to let whoever gave the recipe for those brownies know that 
> they were fantastic!  I thought I'd make them for the two of us, and they 
> were a hit.  In fact, he might have eaten one too many, I think.  He was 
> sitting down in the kitchen keeping me company while I attempted to make 
> the brownies.  They sure smelled and tasted good.  Other than that, we're 
> getting ready for Christmas in a few days.
>
> We did end up going outside to the near-by park today, and it was great 
> because a few other kids were there.  Willy rode the swing and was talking 
> to another kid on the swing next to him, which is great.  He has school 
> friends but could stand to have more kids his age around him.  I was 
> thrilled that he was being social and wwanting to be outside.
>
> I don't know what has happened lately, but today was the first time Willy 
> took his cane with him without me having to remind him or talk him into 
> it.  He used it, too!  In fact, he used it a lot and at one point, he was 
> not holding on to my arm, and I don't think either of us realized it but 
> we kept walking.  I didn't want to spoil his moment so I just kept next to 
> him talking to him.  We noticed that his cane had a cool tap to it and 
> almost had a rhythm to it.  I got him laughing because as we walked along 
> the sidewalk and he was tapping his cane, I was being silly and snapping 
> my fingers along with his cane tap and I sometimes just clapped along as 
> we walked and we had fun.  Willy finally did realize he was walking next 
> to me by himself.
>
> So, now that we know he can use his cane, I have a question for you.  How 
> do I continue to encourage it?  How often should I continue to make him 
> use it and take it with him now?  And, should we continue to see if he 
> keeps it up?
>
> Well, since this is a kraft list, I should let you know that we tried one 
> of those things one of you suggested with the apple and cloves.  Thanks 
> for the suggestion.  It smelled good and we did a couple of them but for 
> some reason I guess Willy wasn't as interested.  He's been really excited 
> and wanting me to show him to make and do new things that are exciting and 
> I think he personally wants a challenge.
> We played with his blocks today, and he enjoyed that, but again, I'm 
> thinking Mr. Willy wants a true kraft, so we'll just have to give him one!
> We're definitely going to do the popsicle stick things too, just as soon 
> as I get them.  LOL  We'll just see how things go.
> Happy holidays!
> Dick
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-krafters-korner mailing list
> Nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Nfb-krafters-korner:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-krafters-korner_nfbnet.org/rwnfbi%40q.com
>