Braille Teaching Methods for Children

Braille Teaching Methods for Children

Course ID: BTM-111, BTM-221

Audience
Family Education Program (111) and HSPS (221)

Course Description
Learning to read can be fun and exciting. Literate children tend to have richer imaginations, larger vocabularies, and wider interests than those who cannot read and write. For children who are blind, literacy in braille is a significant indicator for their success later in life. This course provides you with the methods and information you need to help prepare children become literate in braille.

Media
The course is available in large print and online.

Organization
seven lessons

Credit
2 CEUs (HSPS only)

Overview
Students submit seven assignments.

Grading
Letter grades

Average Completion Time
3 1/2 months

Objectives and Content
After completing Lesson 1, Literacy and Essential Early Experiences, students will be able to:
a. explain the necessity of teaching children who are blind to learn braille
b. list various emergent literacy experiences

After completing Lesson 2, Emergent Literacy Experiences, students will be able to promote prereading experiences through:
a. listening skills
b. experiencing braille

After completing Lesson 3, Teaching Braille Reading, students will be able to:
a. briefly summarize approaches for teaching braille to the beginning reader, including approaches for introducing braille contractions
b. explain a balanced approach to braille instruction, including activities that motivate and promote braille reading

After completing Lesson 4, Increasing Braille Reading Speed, students will be able to:
a. describe the positions and motions of fingers, hands, and arms for the most efficient braille reading
b. list factors that affect braille reading speeds

After completing Lesson 5, Teaching Braille Writing, students will be able to:
a. list prewriting activities for a preschooler who will become a braille user
b. identify how and when to teach the use of the braillewriter for writing
c. identify how and when to teach the use of the slate and stylus for writing
d. identify how and when to teach the use of computers and accessible PDAs for writing
e. discuss how to teach the process of writing as a component of general literacy

After completing Lesson 6, Tactile Illustrations, students will be able to:
a. discuss the concepts and exploratory skills necessary for reading tactile illustrations
b. list the characteristics of tactile illustrations that are meaningful to the braille reader
c. identify methods for developing tactile illustrations both commercially and at home

After completing Lesson 7, Literacy and Children with Multiple Disabilities, students will be able to:
a. discuss the role of the multidisciplinary team when teaching braille to children with multiple disabilities
b. identify specific teaching approaches and strategies for teaching braille to children with multiple disabilities