This interactive activity develops a child’s ability to scan their environment and find requested objects. This is important for safety reasons and developing independence. When children with visual impairments are moving around their home, the ability to scan their environment will help them avoid obstacles and drop-offs. Also, children with visual impairments will be more independent if they can find requested items like their shoes, coat, cup, toys, etc. This activity also teaches children where things are kept in the home and can increase their mental mapping skills.
Objectives
Develop the ability to scan the environment to locate requested objects.
Learn how to travel safely in the home, avoid obstacles, detect drop-offs, and navigate them safely.
Learn early orientation and mobility skills in both familiar and unfamiliar environments.
Become more independent by finding belongings such as toys, shoes, etc.
Develop the sequencing ability to follow one-step or multi-step directions.
Expanded Core Curriculum Areas Supported
Orientation and Mobility: Reach out from body, moving toward a requested object, following directions, learning about positional concepts, safety.
Independent Living Skills: Being able to find objects to participant in play, eating, dressing, etc.
Sensory Efficiency: Use functional vision for scanning.
Self-Determination: Use problem-solving skills to locate and recover requested object.
Social Skills: Bonding and communicating with caregiver during the activity. Communicate the applicable information about the object the child wants.
Compensatory Skills: Learning to use alternative techniques to promote engagement, exploration, and communication.
Everyday Routines Supported
This activity supports most routines in the day, including play time, mealtime, dressing, and bath time.
Suggested Next Steps to Use This Activity With Caregiver and Child
Discuss activity with caregiver to determine appropriateness and relevancy to family.
Forward the caregiver version of the activity to the caregiver.
Remind the primary caregiver one to two days before the home/virtual visit to gather the materials required.
Introduce the activity, discuss the objectives, and provide an overview of the possible steps.
Be prepared to break down the activities into a smaller subset as the child and family may not have the time or tolerance to complete all activities.
After completing this activity, consider extension activities that may be appropriate and relevant to the family.
