BLENNZ

Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ

Real and meaningful experiences

Figure 2 - Tobi's mum holds him while sitting in the driver's seat of the bus. He has one hand on the seat and one hand on the steering wheel. Hannah looks at Tobi and smiles, Tobi smiles.
Figure 2 – Mother is holding her child while he sits in the driver’s seat of a bus
Figure 1 - Tobi sits on the floor behind a large yellow bus toy. He smiles and holds a part of the bus toy in his hands.
Figure 1 – Child is playing with a toy bus

When introducing our young learners who are blind to new learning through song, books and play, we need to understand what their real life experiences are.  It is through this that concepts and language become meaningful. When Tobi was introduced to the song ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ he was provided with a toy bus which he could take apart and explore. 

A tactile and interactive book allowed Tobi to further investigate the features of the bus as they were introduced in the lyrics of the song. To give real meaning to these objects a real bus experience was organised for Tobi. This allowed him the time and the opportunity to understand the concept of a bus. 

 

 

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