Early Childhood Sensory Center Celebrating Abilities…

Creating Opportunities

LITERACY SENSORY TACTILE 0 & M BATHROOM PARENT LIBRARY TODDLER CLASSROOM Utah School for the Blind Parent Infant Program Ogden, UT

Blind PIP Offices for Director, Program Specialist and Secretary Records and Files Waiting Area

Purpose of the Center To provide a place where parents and early intervention vision specialists can come to: 1.Learn more about a variety of topics related to vision impairment in young children; 2.View media and/or obtain reading information on topics of interest; 3. See examples of adapted materials, equipment, technology and environments they may not otherwise have access to or considered using with their child;

4. Meet other families of children with vision impairments and their toddlers (when visiting on a Wednesday morning); 5. Meet adults who are blind or vision impaired; A man and his guide dog

6. Visit with specialists experienced with children with vision impairments (e.g., O&M, Speech/Language, Occupational Therapist, Low Vision Specialist); and 7. Observe school aged children with vision impairments using adaptive materials and techniques in the daily routine. Each room in the center is dedicated to specific tasks and learning opportunities as shown in the next few slides.

 Literacy  Braille and print books for young children  Books adapted with textures  Book examples for low vision  Story Bags & Story Boxes (how to make & how to use)  Braille readiness tactile activities  Alphabet awareness materials  Low vision aids (magnifiers, monocular, CCTV, reading stand, line marker, etc.)

Braille readiness materials Examples of adapted books Learning about braille Print and low vision aids

 Sensory  Light box and low vision play materials  Materials for use with children with CVI  Variety of light toys and materials  High contrast color toys and materials  Computer software for visual learning

 Tactile  Materials to use in water play  Messy play activities  Texture activities and materials; texture play  Physical knowledge activities (dirt, rocks, shells, wood, metals, plants, etc.)

 Orientation & Mobility  Sensory motor activity ideas and equipment  Ideas and equipment for working on motor skills, balance, and gross motor play  Examples of adapted mobility devices  Canes  Trailing wall Trailing wall Using an adapted mobility device

Materials for Gross Motor Play

 Bathroom  A model for setting up a daily care area with low vision adaptations using contrast, color, size, trays, organization, etc.  A model for setting up a daily care area with compensatory adaptations using textures, trays, organization, etc.  Bath time activities and positioning equipment  Adaptations to use in hygiene such as tooth brushing, face & hand washing, diaper changing, dressing, etc.  Adaptations to use in toileting

 Parent Library  Videos/DVDs on topics related to visual impairments  Books and pamphlets specific to topics on visual impairments  Electronic articles and resources available to parents  Websites related to specific eye diagnosis  Websites related to organizations and parent networking

Videos and DVDs Books, Pamphlets, Websites

 Toddler Play Group Classroom  Literacy corner  Large group area / Smart Board, rhythm instruments, calendar, etc.  Sensory play  Blocks, cars, construction toys (O & M mapping, etc.  Fine motor manipulation  Housekeeping and pretend play  Snack

Playframes and adapted seating Snack with “big brother” The classroom Snow is cold…..book about snowman

Scheduling a Visit to the Center 1.Request a registration form from an early intervention vision specialist. 2.Discuss what you wish to gain from the visit, then fill it out and send it in by mail or to the Blind PIP office. 3.There is a one time fee of $20 to be mailed in with the registration. 4.The registration form will be given to Bess Dennison who will then contact the family to schedule their visit and the things they wish to do or see on the visit. 5.Families may visit the center as often as they wish for a couple of hours, half a day or for a full day. 6.Families coming from a distance can request lodging at USDB if they wish to stay overnight.

For more information about the Sensory Center, call 801/