Children love to spend their time in activities. Even though there are a number of activities available for children of all ages it is difficult to select toys and activities for children with hearing and vision impairment. Here are a number of activities to engage children with hearing and vision impairment.
The First Steps
Usually, children with visual problems are hesitant to take first steps. Present your children with push toys or walkers.This will help in the motor development of the child. As they start to move on their own using these mobility helping devices, children will gain confidence to explore their world.
Play Dough is the best toy to engage your child.
- First present him with big square blocks, balls, cups , spoons, book etc.
- Let him feel the shape and then encourage him to make the materials with the help of play dough. This is one of the best way to sharpen his senses.
Musical Toys
Another best toy to sharpen the senses of a child is the musical toys. Select those musical toys which are interactive. Ocean Wonders Musical Fishbowl from Fisher- Price is the best choice. As the child puts the balls in the bowl it produces a musical sound. This response will reinforce her senses. You can use musical toys for children having both visual and hearing impairments. Remember one thing, don’t use toys which make noisy sounds as you may be causing more damages to the already defective ears of your child. It is better to choose toys which have volume control.
Big Blocks
Big blocks in different shapes and sizes are a good toy for cognitive development. Stacking cups are another toy which can help to improve the motor and sensory skills of both visual and hearing impaired children. A child with visual problems may need your help to arrange them, don’t let them down, encourage them and after some trials they will surely succeed. A child with hearing issues probably won't be distracted by the stacking sounds of the cup.
Colors: All children love to experiment with colors.
- Since a visually challenged child doesn’t have the ability to perceive colours, they need help while painting.
- But you can make his world more interesting by presenting him with stencils. First guide him to understand the shapes in each stencil.
- Talk with him about various objects in houses, trees, animals , birds etc.
- Let him propose an idea, for example, birds. Encourage him to select shapes of birds from the stencils which he is already accustomed with.
- Now your child is ready to start painting. Teach her the basic lessons of stencil painting and then allow her to paint. It is one of the best activities to sharpen your child’s sensory skills.
American Foundation for the Blind is a useful resource when selecting toys for your child. They have categorized the list of toys according to the disability.
These activities are intended to develop the motor and perceptual skills of a child with hearing or visual impairments. Keep in mind that they need encouragement to succeed in all activities.