Yes, we’re all over and done with this trying season. Even so, take a deep breath and join me in considering how we can make something beautiful out of it.
While many are working longer hours, many others still find themselves with unaccounted-for hours in their days. If this is you, maybe you’ve had the opportunity to tackle a project, increase quality time with the family, read a novel, start an at-home exercise program, or hone a skill. Even if for only a few minutes a day, I hope this is the case!
Have you considered using this COVID season to assist your child in developing skills that will increase your child’s independence?
If you’re feeling ill-prepared to do so, resources are available to guide and encourage you.
Let’s take a look at a few resources that can better equip you to teach specific skills and resources providing direct instruction to older children or teens:
- Have you joined any Access Academy Webinars yet? Use the link to search future topics; previously recorded webinars are available The Virtual ExCEL Academy YouTube Channel. From learning infant massage techniques to learning multiplication on the abacus, there’s something for everyone.
- Hadley offers distance-learning courses, instructional videos, and the podcast, Hadley Presents: A Conversation With the Experts. Browse the topics. Perhaps it’s time to learn braille visually, or maybe your son or daughter might like the challenge of using hand tools to create a masterpiece alongside you.
- Paths to Literacy offers teaching strategies across a number of content areas. You may wish to discover independent braille practice games for children who are deafblind. Or if your child is dyslexic like mine, you may benefit from reading suggestions for students who struggle with braille reversals.
- Want to ramp up your story time to include independent living and career skills? Check out Great Expectations: Bringing Picture Books to Life for Blind Kids by the National Braille Press. You can purchase braille picture books and access free related activities. For example, read Iggy Peck, Architect, and then meet a blind architect, draw tactile buildings, read LEGO tips, and more.
- Your older child or teen can utilize tips for exploring careers as a person who is blind or visually impaired. Grab a snack and sit down together to gather information by interest area, job title, or occupational category.
This season may be tremendously difficult, but we can make the most of extra time to help our children build the skills they need for greater independence in the future.