Learning about Braille

As part of their topic on senses, the Reception class welcomed Pam Kenny to Pre-Prep this afternoon to talk to them all about Braille and how visually impaired people rely on their other senses to help them in their daily lives.

Mrs Kenny explained about the Braille system and its creator, Louis Braille. She had brought some samples with her so that the girls were able to feel the raised dots for themselves and they were each given a piece of paper with their names spelt out for them in Braille.

Mrs Kenny also showed the girls a number of other items that are used to help teach visually impaired school children including raised maps, sheets of plastic film that rises when drawn on to make an instant tactile diagram and braille graph paper.

The girls also participated in some activities to see what it is like to do normal tasks without being able to see. Wearing a blindfold they tried to identify some everyday items using their sense of touch. They also attempted to pour water from a bottle into a cup without spilling it.