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parents of blind children

Shakes, Pats, and Grins! Inside the Little Learners Playgroup

Shakes, Pats, and Grins! Inside the Little Learners Playgroup

By Pam Chapin, Little Learners Program Director
 
Editor’s Note: Little Learners Playgroup is a new online program from the LightHouse Little Learners department. This weekly playgroup is for children ages zero to six who are blind, have low vision or Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and their adults. Learn more about this new program below!
 
Have you ever heard the clang made by dropping a shaker into a metal mixing bowl? It sounds like a bell.

Last week Little Learners and their grownups gathered to play and learn together during our weekly Zoom playgroup. Little Learners and their siblings were greeted with a song and learned body awareness through music and movement. Whether seated on laps, lying on a blanket, or tucked into a booster seat, fun was had by all. Sensory play included comparing the sounds of different shakers and exploring concepts of fast and slow with movement and sound. 
 
Children explored by patting pie tins, mouthing the cool edge of a shiny stainless-steel bowl, and placing eggs into a muffin tin to create a Braille cell while adults learned about the importance of each of these stages of development. Little hands and feet explored shapes, sizes, textures and temperatures of different containers from their homes, and concepts such as in and out.

Breaks for snuggles or bottles were enjoyed as needed, and adults had time to share with each other about their experiences and ideas. One Mom shared with her Early Childhood Blind and Low Vision Specialist that she appreciates how much information she is getting to help her child, and to better understand how he learns using all of his senses.
 
This Thursday’s fun will include edible sensory art, so please contact us if you would like to join!
 
Little Learners Playgroup is held Thursdays from 9:30 am to 10:15 am. Please RSVP to receive the link and more information by emailing littlelearners@lighthouse-sf.org with your child’s name and age, your name, phone number, and email address.
 
Meet you in the Zoom Room!
 
Learn more about how you can participate in or support LightHouse Little Learners online or contact littlelearners@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7374

New Program: LightHouse Little Learners Weekly Playgroup

New Program: LightHouse Little Learners Weekly Playgroup

LightHouse’s newest department, LightHouse Little Learners, is excited to announce a brand new program for the littlest members of our community and their families!

Starting April 7, bring your giggles and wiggles to Little Learners weekly Zoom Playgroup, Thursdays from 9:30 am to 10:15 am. Enjoy fun activities with your little one, ages 0-6, while learning strategies to support your child’s visual, sensory, motor and concept development. Connect with other families who understand and share your experience raising a child who is blind, has low vision, or CVI. Weekly activities are designed to be accessible for all, and to build upon monthly themes that you can integrate into your family routines. All are welcome!

Learn more about what goes on during a Little Learners playgroup session from LightHouse Little Learners Program Director, Pam Chapin.

For more information or to register, please email Jacqueline Barden at littlelearners@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7657. Meet you in the Zoom Room!