“Writing, like reading, is a process that begins early in life, well before a child learns how to form conventional braille or print letters. Rather than directly teaching the child to form letters from the start, adults lead the child toward conventional writing by building on her early attempts to scribble and “write” messages.”
Stratton, J. M., & Wright, S. (1991). On the way to literacy: Early experiences for visually impaired children. Louisville, KY: American Printing House for the Blind.
It is important to provide opportunities for children to scribble and explore writing in order to share messages with the world. Writing can be achieved in many different forms. If a child has fine or gross motor delays that prevent him from holding a typical pencil or pushing down the keys of a braillewriter, it is important to find simple ways for him to express himself in writing. Building up grips on pencils or paintbrushes can help, or using an adapted stamp with ink or an alphabet sponge with paint to produce the first letter of the child’s name. Hand under hand guidance can direct the child to his paper so he can participate in showing ownership of his work.
“Regardless whether you think your child’s artwork is attractive or even developmentally appropriate, ask her to tell you about it. She’ll know what it is, and you want to encourage her story-telling and imagination.”
Ferrell, K. A., & Spungin, S. J. (2011). Reach out and teach: Helping your child who is visually impaired learn and grow. New York, NY: AFB Press.
“If your child scribbles something and then tells you what he “wrote,” take it seriously. Let him take his “shopping list” to the supermarket or mail his (scribbled) letter to grandma. This is how children learn that words are powerful and have meaning.”
Zero to three (2015, February 11). Learning to write and draw. Retrieved from http://www.zerotothree.org/early-care-education/early-language-literacy/writing-and-art-skills.html
“Young children move through a series of stages as they are learning to write. The stages reflect a child’s growing knowledge of the conventions of literacy, including letters, sounds and spacing of words within sentences.”
Reading Rockets (2017, February 27). How writing develops. Retrieved from http://www.readingrockets.org/article/how-writing-develops
APH Products for scribbling with a tactile result
Color by Textures 1-03332-00 click here
Quick-Draw Paper 1-04960-00 click here
DRAFTSMAN Tactile Drawing Board 1-08857-00 click here
Quick Tip: The DRAFTSMAN click
iPad Apps for scribbling/early writing
Glow Coloring By YAGU Enterprises LLC – Black background and 36 choices of colors for scribbling. Also provides choice of stamps to tap screen to add pictures.
FingerPaint with Sounds By Inclusive Technology LTD – Choose from: No music/sounds, Play music or Play sound effects. Choose to paint with multitouch or use single touch to encourage finger isolation. White solid background and variety of colors. Sounds are very fun and playful, but you do have the choice to omit them if pairing vision with music is too complex of an environment for your child.
Draw with Stars By L’Escapadou – Use one or 10 fingers to draw yellow, blue and white twirling stars onto a simple complexity night sky. May choose to have musical feedback when drawing. There is alot going on with app, not for children who need to keep it simple.
ABC Magnetic Alphabet By Dot Next – Ability to drag and drop uppercase, lowercase, symbols, shapes etc. onto a page. Can change background from solid black, white, various solid colors to complex scenes as well as decide how many letters to present at a time and how far apart to space them.