Physical development: visual impairment

The main physical development challenges for early years children with a visual impairment are:

• Awareness of what a specific movement is
• Awareness of their own body in relation to the environment
• Responding to new equipment and knowing how to use it
• Working with other pupils
• Understanding concepts such as big and small without tactile cues
• Hand to mouth co-ordination when eating and drinking
• Dressing and undressing – especially the orientation of clothes

You can:

• Ensure there is a clearly marked out area for the child, so other children will not bump into them.
• Use the child's own hands, arms and legs to demonstrate movements for them.
• Think about how you phrase instructions – make them clear.
• Support the child and a partner to use simple skills such as rolling a ball while sitting.
• Encourage the partner to use their voice to guide the aim.Use balls and equipment that make sounds.
• Encourage the use of tactile cues on clothes, for example, buttons go on the outside, hoods are at the top.