Preschool Classroom

Strategies, Adaptations and Considerations for Children with Visual Impairments or Blindness

This section offers practical suggestions for parents and preschool teachers working with young children with visual impairments. Families and early childhood educators will find general guidelines, instructional strategies, and adaptations for the classroom and general environment. These strategies and techniques will help infants and toddlers with visual impairments develop and learn at the same rate as their peers.

Preschool Instructional Strategies

Hand-Over-Hand Guidance: What Lesson Do We Teach? Future Reflections
National Foundation of the Blind (NFB)
Andrea Story, a teacher of the visually impaired, examines the technique of hand-over-hand guidance and discusses the debate regarding its use in teaching children who are blind.

Hand under Hand and Hand over Hand
Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
This article compares the benefits and drawbacks of these two teaching techniques.

Picking Up Puffs
WonderBaby.org
This article explains how to organize the path to developmental milestones as simple, teachable steps.

Preschool Classroom Adaptations

These environmental adaptations are designed to promote independence, while also focusing on safety.

We are continuing to gather resources specific to this area.  Please use the Contact Us page to share your resources with us.

Adaptations for Children with Disabilities
HeadStart
Head Start organizes articles addressing adaptations from across its library into one jumping off page.

Transition to Preschool

Considering Preschool for Your Child
Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
This article offers advice to parents exploring preschool services for their children with visual impairments.

Pre-Preschool Anxiety
Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
This helpful article provides concrete suggestions to help parents and children prepare for the transition to preschool.

Visiting Preschool Programs
Family Connect for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments
This article offers a list of considerations to keep in mind when selecting a preschool program for a child who's blind or visually impaired.

Organizations and Resources to Explore: Transition to Preschool

Transition to Preschool
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
This page presents an overview of the transition process, information on inclusion, and  links to information on recommended transition practices.

Preschool Programs and Children with Visual Impairments

The Blind Child in the Regular Preschool Program, Future Reflections
National Foundation of the Blind (NFB)
Dr. Ruby Ryles shares practical strategies for the successful inclusion of children who are blind into regular preschool programs.

The Preschool Child who is Blind or Visually Impaired
Department of Education, Newfoundland and Labrador
This 13-page document offers advice for preschool teachers for accommodating a child who is blind or visually impaired. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Suggestions for Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers of Blind Students
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
Jill Weatherd's 7-page booklet is full of suggestions for developing goals and objectives for young children with visual impairment. Learned from working with her own child, these ideas help other parents to collaborate with preschool and kindergarten teachers. (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)