Object Awareness Activitiesby Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com March 26, 2024 ![]() In Early Intervention programs and when working with individuals with complex learning needs, it is important to focus on teaching the individual object awareness. Active learning areas are a perfect way to bring the world to the student and help develop both awareness of objects and the development of motor skills. Think about the environments the student is in and the access they have to materials. This includes floor time, time in a high chair or stander as well as when they are positioned in a wheelchair or stroller.
Active learning areas are based on the work of Dr. Lilli Nielsen. These areas are designed to engage and alert the student. As you create the areas, incorporate tactual experiences and sound producing materials that promote interaction with materials. Attach tubing or cords to hold materials so they are suspended and position against a solid black surface to increase contrast. For more detailed information and videos, visit Active Learning Space. Characteristics of Materials
Possible Objects
Interactive Lap Mats
Interactive Object BoardsLike the active learning spaces, the interactive object boards are designed to give students with multiple disabilities a means to reach and develop concepts while in their wheelchair or stander. Attach a variety of objects from a pegboard or similar type of board that is secured to a tray or tabletop. Position it close to student when the student hasn’t yet learned to reach for materials. Position it further away but still within arm’s reach for students who will reach to explore. It can be attached to a wheelchair tray or stander tray to provide interactive opportunities in these positions.
Select materials listed in the Active Learning Activity. The board encourages the student to reach out and explore materials. Encourage the student to grasp, manipulate and release materials. If the student has difficulty with visual clutter, limit the number of objects presented at a time and use materials that have features the student will attend to. Consider creating mats with tactually interesting items related to the current thematic unit to expose the student to a wide range of materials. Take note of the characteristics the student appears to prefer. |
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