Selecting Toys for the Blind Youngster

Selecting Toys for the Blind Youngster

Future Reflections September- December 1983, Vol. 2 No. 5
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SELECTING TOYS FOR THE BLIND YOUNGSTER
by Barbara Cheadle
A father of a five-year-old recently called me to ask for
suggestions about what toys he could buy his blind
son who lives in another state with his ex-wife.
Because he would seldom see his son, he wanted his
gifts to be especially memorable and appropriate. This
father is not unique. I think all of us who have a blind
child in our lives whom we know and love -- whether
as parent, friend of the family, teacher, grandparent or
other relative -- all of us would like our gifts to be
special, something the child will use over and over,
and remember with fondness when he out-grows it.
With the exception of Braille books and some board
games, you can find perfectly appropriate toys in your
local stores, or any other source that is available to the
public. With a few special considerations, the same
principles you use when buying a toy for a sighted
youngster also apply when buying one for a blind
child. For example: 1) Toys should be suitable for the
child's age and maturity level. 2) The child's personality
and interests should be considered. Blind children
are as likely to be mechanically inclined, artistic,
people-oriented, theatrical, athletic, musical or interested
in science as any other child. Toys that appeal to
their special interests and abilities will always be
welcomed. 3) Toys should be selected for their educational
value as well as their "fun" value. Toys play an
important role in helping children develop concepts,
small and large muscle coordination, and social skills
as well. Companies that specialize in educational toys,
such as Discovery Toys, would be good places to check
out. (Discovery Toys are sold by independent Educational
Consultants through home demonstrations. If
you cannot locate a consultant in your area, write to:
Discovery Toys, 400 Ellinwood Way, Suite 300,
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523). 4) The toy you purchase
should encourage -- not stifle -- the child's creativity,
imagination, and active participation. 5) Consider
your pocketbook and your priorities. We all have
limitations on how much we can spend. Whether that
is a little, or a lot, make your purchases count, and let
your child know what your limitations are. Remember,
too, your involvement with your child is more important
than any toy you can buy. There are times when
the money is better spent on a trip to the zoo, or a
long-distance call just to that special child.
Now, for the special considerations. The most obvious
one is that the toy should appeal to the non-visual
senses -- sound, smell, taste and touch. Some parents
report that their child loves anything that makes an
interesting sound. Others say their child perfers
putting things (such as lego's, bristle blocks, etc.)
together and taking them apart. Scratch and sniff
stickers and books always seem popular. Some children
thrive on physical play -- balls, indoor or outdoor
gym sets, scooters, etc. -- are just the thing for them.
Yet other children get excited about imaginary play.
Realistic puppets, "dress-up" costumes, toy trucks and
tea-sets would be for them.
You should not ignore or disregard the visually
pleasing or stimulating toy. Most blind children have
some vision, and would enjoy and benefit from these
as well. You should consider contrast, clarity, and
reflective character (how much light does it absorb or
reflect) of colors and objects when selecting picture
books, games or other toys for your child with partial
vision. The more you know about your child's vision,
(do they see better in bright or muted light?) the easier
it will be to make toy selections.
Don't be put off if the toy is not perfectly adapted for
your child. Some toys, such as board games, can be
adapted at home with a few tactile markings or Braille
labels. Use your imagination and ask a blind friend or
acquaintance for ideas. There are also places where
you can purchase print-Braille books and adapted
board games. National Braille Press (see article on
page 15) now has children's print-Braille books for
sale. Science for the Blind Products (SFB) and Aids
Unlimited also offer board games. SFB also has Touch
and Feel, Scratch and Sniff, and other kinds of books
for children. (See the Hear Ye! Hear Ye! section for
more details and addresses.) There are other places, too. Ask your child's vision teacher, other parents of
blind children and blind adults for information about
what is available in your state or local community.
A comment should be made about the fourth principle
in buying toys. "The toy should encourage -- not stifle
the child's creativity, imagination and active participation."
Too often, blind children are not encouraged
to be physically active. Because of fear, (they might
hurt themselves) we make the mistake of allowing
them to sit and listen to music or recorded books to the
exclusion of playing with toys or engaging in activities
which give their large and small muscles a real
work-out. Blind children can be as physically strong
and graceful as sighted children... if given the proper
encouragement and tools to work with. If your child
has already decided that "listening" to music or books
is the only "fun" activity for them, you need to start
coaxing them into more physical play immediately.
Limit their listening time, find toys and games that
combine sound and physical play, play (physically)
with your child more... these are just some of the ways
you can get your child moving again.
Finally, you should consider your own motives when
buying toys for your child. Let's face it, it is not
uncommon to feel some guilt when we discover our
child is blind. That guilt -- never a rational thing in
the first place -- can make us do some pretty irrational
things. Buying all kinds of expensive toys that we
cannot afford, or our child does not need, might be one
way to make us feel better, or be our way of trying to
"make-up" for our child's loss of vision. It may
temporarily make us feel better, but it is harmful to us
and the child in the long run. First of all, it will not
bring back their sight. You have already probably
done everything you can to deal with that. Secondly,
children are sensitive and quickly learn how to play
upon an adult's feelings of guilt. The result could be a
demanding, selfish, whining child prone to temper
tantrums. This is not to imply that all, or even most,
parents react this way. But a little "self-examination"
never hurt anyone, and may reveal some surprises.
It has been said that a child's work, is play. If so, toys
are their tools. We can make sure they have the best
tools available so that they have a rewarding, enriching
experience as well as lots of fun.
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