[blindkid] How to answer questions

[Dr. Denise M Robinson]

To add to this, you also have to understand that a 3 year old and even
older, do not really understand the word "see" . They have heard that term
so are looking for clarification in their own mind of what "see" is.

Blind children "see" with their fingers and sighted children "see" with
their eyes. One is not worse than the other, it is just different. But yes,
keep it simple and they will ask questions as clarification comes in their
own mind.

Denise

On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 12:50 PM, Katie Cochrane <kvescelus at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I agree on the honesty point, and I have one little addition.  I answer
> honestly, and I only answer the question that is asked.  It can be hard to
> know how much information to give a little kid, so I just answer what was
> asked as frankly as possible.  I have two sons, ages 5 and 3.  The 3 year
> old lost both eyes to cancer when he was a baby, so here is an example of a
> conversation we have frequently (and the tone is much like he's asking me
> about anything else normal, like a tree or flower or something).
>
> Can I see? No.
> Why? Because you don't have any eyes. Eyes are what people use to see.
> Can you see? Yes.  Here are my eyes.  (touch)  You don't have eyes like
> these, so you can't see.
> That's usually enough for the 3 year old.  He doesn't ask any more than
> that yet.  The 5 year old has more questions.
> Why doesn't Matthias have eyes? Because when he was a baby his eyes made
> him very sick so we had to take them out.
> Where did you put them? The doctor took them.
> And so on and so forth.
>
> If they ask more, I answer more with complete honesty.  I let them direct
> the conversation.  I can't tell you what to do or say; that depends largely
> on your personal parenting style.  And I'm sure every parent in America
> would answer these questions a little differently.  Don't worry so much
> about saying the wrong thing.  I think allowing her to ask questions and
> have them answered in a loving, positive way is more than fine.
>
> Take care!
> Katie
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Julie Dabbieri <julietnan at aol.com>
> To: "blindkid at nfbnet.org" <blindkid at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 2, 2012 2:46 PM
> Subject: [blindkid] How to answer questions
>
> My 4 year old daughter is asking questions  that I don't know how to
> answer. She told me she needs glasses
> Because she doesn't see very well, anihwr to
> W
> She asked why her sister could see the book and she couldn't. I realize
> I need to follow
> Her lead. She wants to talk about it, but I don't know how. I am so afraid
> of saying
> The wrong thing.
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
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-- 
 Denise

Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
CEO, TechVision, LLC
Virtual Instructor for blind/low vision
509-674-1853

Website with hundreds of informational articles & lessons all done with
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