Advent Calendar for Blind Children
- Dec 3, 2014
- 2 min read
The holiday season is such a fun time of year! It doesn't have to be any different for children with visual impairments. At our house, Madilyn is already up to "Day 3" of this braille box advent calendar. She has already found a sleigh bell, which she DID hear ring and then told me "I believe!" I ordered the braille/print copy of "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg on Seedlings Braille Books for Children (also available in uncontracted braille here). She also found a little piece of milk chocolate, a soft mint, and a star. She can't wait to see what she finds tomorrow on "Day 16" and I'm just as excited to see her little fingers explore the next box as well!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN BRAILLE BOX ADVENT CALENDAR:
Materials:
Round Crystal Sticker - small (or any raised/dimension circle stickers)
Print Number Stickers *optional
Paper adhesive
25 prizes to put in each box (candy, bell, small tree ornaments, braille note, etc. Be creative!)
The instructions are pretty simple! If you are using the print number stickers, I suggest putting them on first. Then, just adhere the round crystals on each box to create the braille numbers 1-25. Then measure the sides of the box that will show and cut the holiday cardstock to fit. Adhere with paper glue. Let everything dry overnight, or longer if the adhesive directions suggests. Fill the boxes with all the fun and sensory exploring goodies you find to put inside! You could also use the extra crystals to create a message on the top side of the box such as your child's name, "Merry Christmas" or the family name.
Madilyn opens the day's box every morning after breakfast. It's a fun, spirited way to start out the day and I usually incorporate it into the day's lessons and activities. Happy Holidays!
Do you have a holiday tradition you'd like to share? Please tell us about it!
**Disclaimer: Please note that the box that should be numbered "17" is missing two dots of the "7" braille number. It must have been damaged in the unorganized Christmas box =( My apologies for not fixing it before I took this picture!**
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