[blindkid] What are your thoughts on coloring?

[Barbara Hammel]

Okay, this is just a thought here.  If a sighted child colors before they 
learn how to write letters with a writing stick, why cannot a blind child be 
given a slate and stylus or a braille writer to "scribble" with.  If you 
want to build finger strength, why not give them the tool that will be 
useful later and gives them great feedback because it put dots around that 
they can feel.
Barbara




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-----Original Message----- 
From: Katie Cochrane
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 2:05 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)
Subject: Re: [blindkid] What are your thoughts on coloring?

My son is 3, and they spend a lot of time on coloring, too.  He is totally 
blind.  Our TVI explained to me it is important to build finger strength and 
dexterity for learning Braille, using a stylus to make Braille notes later, 
etc.  They also want him to get used to participating in tasks just like the 
rest of the kids in the class.  They do a lot of coloring of raised line 
papers, and they put textures under it.  We also have one of those musical 
coloring tablets (I think it's from Crayola) where it plays music as you 
scribble...the faster you scribble the faster the music plays.  No matter 
what we do, it is not his favorite task, either, but I think the reasons 
they gave were reasonable.  Have you asked your TVI what the reasons are for 
focusing on coloring at this point in his education?  I know my son is 
younger, but I would imagine all of these reasons will still be relevant 
when he is in kindergarten.

Take care.
Katie


________________________________
From: "Meng, Debi" <Meng at sccompanies.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List, (for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 2:48 PM
Subject: [blindkid] What are your thoughts on coloring?

What are your thoughts on coloring?   Jonathan is 6 years old and in
Kindergarten this year, he has no vision in his left eye and only light
perception in his right eye.  He cannot see the paper or the crayon.
Should the TVI be spending valuable time coloring?  He knows what
coloring is, he was in Early Childhood and 4K for 3 years.    He does
not enjoy coloring and will do anything not to have to sit and color.
He is being forced to sit and color until his paper is complete, which
is long after the other kids in the class have completed their color
page and moved on to other activities.

There has to be other things that are more beneficial for him to be
working on.   Suggestions???

Debi, grandmother of Jonathan, ROP  - Wisconsin



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