[blindkid] preschool options

Heather craney07 at rochester.rr.com
Wed May 26 00:06:11 UTC 2010


I would never send my blind child to a school or even one class just for 
blind or just for disabled children, but this is just my opinion of course. 
Some things to stress are that if she is doing something unsightly or 
socially unacceptable such as scratching herself, picking her nose, rubbing 
her eyes excessively or prressing them, rocking, flapping, etc, that the 
teacher be sure to gently call her on it, so that she doesn't get into the 
habbit.  I'm sure you've done a good job of this, but some blind kids pick 
up behaviors like this at school and teachers, ignorant teachers, not 
wanting to hurt their feelings, and figuring that it is normal and 
unavoidable for a blind kid just let it continue.  Remind them that while it 
is never acceptable for a child to hit or bite another, a big two to 
four-year-old stage, other things that might appear to be confrontational, 
such as pushing or grabbing other students might happen at first as her 
three-year-old frustration tries to cope with the rough and tumble play of 
her classmates at recess and any normative toddler squabbles that might 
break out, instigated by her or another student.  If she has some vission, 
remind them that little requests, such as having only white paper to draw 
on, or not sitting on the side of the table where the sun is coming from, so 
that her shaddow won't obscure her paper, might be harder to recognize.  I 
remember screaming and throwing tantrums because they would not give me 
white paper "Heather, Johny already got the last white piece, now, let's 
have this nice blue piece.  We have to share, and he already got the white, 
so you'll have to pick another colour."  All I was verbally and emotionally 
able to do was yell, insist that I needed it, something that most toddlers 
say when they want, not need it.  They would also get mad at me for 
insisting on sitting on the side of the table that was in sunlight, but 
where I was not between my paper and the light.  A three year old can't 
usually verbalize "If I sit here my shadow makes the contrast less 
effective."  or "Yeah, I know it's a light blue, but it really has to be 
white.  I hate to be picky, but Johny doesn't need that paper, I do.  If you 
don't give it to me, I can't draw."  Also make sure that they teach her 
print letters, as well as Braille.  It is important to be able to at least 
recognize, and read slowly print letters and numbers.  If she has any mild 
tactile deffensiveness, that is not enough to warent a diagnosis, but does 
bother her, tell them this.  They will realize that when she is done 
painting or gluing that she is really bothered by the texture of dried ick 
on her hands, and waiting in line for a turn at the sink may be unpleasant, 
not painful, but very very unpleasant, if she has that particular tendency. 
I do in a mild way and many many blind people, especially young children, 
who can't easily explain that they need to wash their hands now, right now, 
have this difficulty.  Try and see that realistic models, figurines, stuffed 
animals and plastic animals are available.  Abstract looking or cute 
cartoonish animal representations will do ziltch for her, in understanding. 
Sighted kids can see that the truck on TV doesn't look like the overly 
rounded, dispreportional truck toy they have, or that an Orka on the Free 
Willie movie looks nothing like the non-discript lump with two eyes and a 
sideways tale fin that is supposed to be a wale stuffed animal.  Sighted 
kids subconsciously understand artistic licence and can apply imagination to 
make an inaccurate toy acceptable and fun, but your daughter will, at that 
age, take it to literally mean that the real things look like what toys she 
is seeing.  I'll give it more thought and add more later if I think of it.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joy Orton" <ortonsmom at gmail.com>
To: "NFB Blindkid list" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 3:42 PM
Subject: [blindkid] preschool options


> Hi Julie,
> The first (and later) IEP meeting can be overwhelming. I would advise you 
> to
> get a notebook and designate it for IEP and other school-related meeting
> notes. Take your own notes during the meeting. Then you can look back at
> them later when you wonder, "Did we agree to that?" or "Did we ask about
> that?"
>
> If you can find a friend to go with you to the IEP, it can be great. Not
> just any friend: You want someone who knows your child and has a positive
> attitude about blindness and the capability of blind people. This could be 
> a
> friend from your local NFB chapter, or a representative from your state
> school for the blind, or a caseworker from your state agency for the 
> blind.
>
> On preschool: Our daughter attended a regular preschool class rather than 
> a
> preschool program for children with disabilities. She came to the US from
> China at age 4 and was learning English. Her "ESL" status qualified her 
> for
> public school preschool here in Texas. We have a great braillist in our
> district, and our daughter's preschool materials were provided in braille
> and tactual format from the beginning.
>
> Our daughter had lots of pullout time with the teacher of the visually
> impaired, the orientation and mobility teacher, and some other 
> specialists.
> I think she had physical therapy and occupational therapy also. Before 
> first
> grade, all of the physical delays they had noticed were caught up to what
> her sighted classmates were doing developmentally.
>
> She also spent two years in kindergarten to "front-load" the braille
> instruction, and now, in third grade, she is above grade level in her
> reading. I think she has been above grade level for a while, actually. I
> remember that in first grade she was ahead of the reading standards they
> tested her for.
>
> We have great services for blind students, and I was pleased with the 
> result
> of public preschool in a class of "regular" kids. Hope this helps.
>
> Joy Orton
>
> Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 14:22:12 -0700
> From: julietnan <julietnan at aol.com>
> To: blindkid at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindkid] IEP
> Message-ID: <0d4b92f9.f739.4e31.8e41.7de91e761797 at aol.com>
> Content-Type: TEXT/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Hi,
> My husband and I are gong to be attending out daughters first IEP meeting
> next month. Our daughter will be 3 in July and will be starting preschool 
> in
> the fall. Since we are new to all this, I was wondering if I could ask for
> advise, suggetions, things I need to know, things I need to ask, etc. Any
> advise would be welcomed! How many of you had your children attend
> mainstream preschool and how many had your child attend a special 
> preschool
> for VI kids. What are the pros and cons of both? Thank you so much,  I
> really learn a lot from you guys!
> Julie
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