Chapter 8: Teaching Everyday Activities

Being independent

Being independent means that a child has a chance to do things by himself, without help from other people. Sometimes, because families worry about their blind child's well-being, they protect him too much. Then, when he is older, he will not know how to do things by himself.

It is better to teach your child how to do new things safely than stop him from trying new things.

Being well-behaved

Children who are blind or cannot see well need firm, loving discipline just like any other child does. But sometimes people feel so sorry for a blind child that they do not se limits on his behavior, and' they let him do things they would not allow other children to do. Try to make the same rules for all your children.

Teach her the same manners that other children learn. Although a blind child will have some different eating habits than other children - like touching her food to know what and where it is - she should learn the eating habits used in her community. Then she can eat with other people without her family feeling shame.