Activities may include:

• pretend play

• puzzles

• art & craft activities

• time on the playground

• all preschool-appropriate games just the same as their sighted peers

Children learn through play

• creating or using games that incorporate social, fine motor, or gross motor skills is a fun way to develop new leisure activities

• games may need to be adapted for equal access

Hand under hand demonstrations are a good way to present physical movements that may be unfamiliar

Introduce social skills activities through pretend play

• it combines social skills training, and educates students with sight about ways to include their peers without sight in play

Use tactile discrimination activities such as a memory game that requires students to match textures

Allow elementary schoolers to explore age-appropriate games.

Board and card games may need to be adapted.

• buy adapted card games with Braille from major companies such as Amazon or from the American Printing House for the Blind (APH).

• adapt commercial board games using tactile markers or Braille. If a classroom already has games available for free play or inside recess, modifying these will create improved accessibility for students with visual impairment, and also improve the other students’ and the teacher’s awareness.

Direct instruction and practice on the playground equipment will help develop confidence and independent access to these gross motor activities.

Expose students to age-appropriate activities

Interests may be changing as students enter adolescence

Leisure activities may include apps or games on an electronic device

• ensure that students have the necessary assistive technology to access preferred games.

Educate about adapted sports teams, races that can be run with a human guide, or Goal Ball teams

• Goal Ball is a sport specifically developed for individuals who are blind

• all players are required to wear a blindfold if any vision is present

Provide local information about sign up opportunities is a great way to encourage physical activity.

Continue to develop and explore sports and hobbies

Learn how to discover new interests

Learn how to become involved at school or within the community

• facilitates preparation for life after high school either in a collegiate setting or within the community.

Physical Therapist

Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Speech Language Pathologist

Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Special Education Teacher

General Education Teacher

Adapted PE teacher or General Education PE teacher