helping your child know where she is
111
Other orientation skills
To become independent, a child needs to learn to walk in new places
and to follow directions. These activities may be difficult for your child to
learn and may frighten her at first. It may also be difficult for you to give
directions that she can follow. You can be a better teacher for your child
if you:
• try the activities with another adult first. Blindfold each other and
practice all the steps. Talk about how you can make the instructions
clearer.
• then try teaching a child who can see. Blindfold the child and lead
her through the same steps that you tried with an adult. Pay close
attention to her reactions so you can find ways to reassure and
encourage her.
To help your child follow directions
When your child is
comfortable walking by
herself, teach her
how to make turns.
With her back
against a
wall, ask her
to turn to one
side until...
...one
shoulder
touches
the wall
(quarter
or partial
turn)...
...she is
facing
the wall
(half
turn)...
...she is
facing away
with the
opposite
shoulder to
the wall (3/4
or almost
a full turn),
and...
...she is
facing front
again (full
turn).
Encourage her to pay attention to how her feet move as she does this.
Gradually she can move away from the wall and practice on her own.
Remember to be patient. Your child will need a lot of practice before she
can make turns on her own.
helping children who are blind