Webinar 6: Teaching braille reading and writing

Content

Before the webinar participants watched a video on Teaching Braille Reading and Writing which formed the basis for the discussion.

Perkins: Teaching Braille Reading & Writing

Some discussion points

How to promote a love of books in Early Years

Personalised books - “they love to read their own name”

Read to children, make it fun, use silly voices, put some welly into it.

Make up stories about real people that the child knows.

Even when the child is very young, have some braille present, make it a game. "find the words, then I'll read them for you"

Concept development

"I like to get the student to tell a friend what their book was about."

Working alongside the class teacher

Good communication is key. Find ways of opening up a dialogue between the TVI and the classroom teacher.

"Jointly plan 1 lesson - with the child with VI at the centre and explain this lesson will be inclusive for all. With a bit of tweaking, teacher will only have to plan 1 lesson and it will be a great lesson! Support future planning with ideas/resources but they do the planning."

"Looking at some of the 'incidental' and less-academic aspects of class can help e.g. putting braille on everyone's jotters and desks so child participates in handing out jotters like peers do, sources own resources in class, can look up timetable on the wall, or class jobs list or behaviour management charts etc - feel part of the community and build independence and self-esteem."

Target Audience

Teachers of children who are visually impaired.

Presenter

Elizabeth McCann, Scottish Sensory Centre