Discussion boxes are an early literacy activity for young children with visual impairments, deafblindness or multiple disabilities, where they collect real objects from a routine activity such as bath
One of the earliest literacy activities for young children with visual impairments or those who are deafblind or who have multiple disabilities is to collect real objects from a routine activity, such as bath time, and to place them in a “discussion box”. This gives the child a chance to review what objects are used in a given activity, which is a link to talking about an activity before or after it happens. Being able to anticipate something or reminisce about it is an important step in communication.
Once the items have been gathered and placed in a bin, the bin can be labeled with the word “Bath”. Then, when it’s time for a bath, the child can help the adult to get the box from the consistent location where it’s stored and talk about the items in the box.
Objects from bath time: a rubber duck, washcloth, and bar of soap in a plastic bin
Creating a Story from the Objects in the Discussion Box
After the child has developed an understanding of the objects in the Discussion Box, you can write a story about the Bath Time experience. In this example, I used repetition and simple language, as well as clear photographs. Braille or tactile symbols can be added to the pages, as appropriate for an individual child.
Text:
Let’s turn on the water.
Splishy Splashy in the tub.
Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Here come the Bubbles!
Splishy Splashy in the tub.
Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Time to turn the water off.
Splishy Splashy in the tub.
Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Can you find the soap?
Splishy Splashy in the tub.
Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Let’s use the washcloth.
Splishy Splashy in the tub.
Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Time to rinse. Here comes the water!
Splishy Splashy in the tub.
Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Let’s play! Where is rubber ducky?
Splishy Splashy in the tub.
Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
All done.
I’ll hug you with a towel until you’re dry.
Then let’s read a story you and I.
Pages of Bath Time Book
Cover of Bath Time book
Let’s turn on the water. Splishy Splashy in the tub. Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Here come the Bubbles! Splishy Splashy in the tub. Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Time to turn the water off. Splishy Splashy in the tub. Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Can you find the soap? Splishy Splashy in the tub. Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Let’s use the washcloth. Wash your nose…wash your toes. Splishy Splashy in the tub. Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Time to rinse. Here comes the water! Splishy Splashy in the tub. Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
Let’s play. Where is rubber ducky? Splishy Splashy in the tub. Splishy Splashy Rub-a-dub-dub.
All done. I’ll hug you with a towel until you’re dry. Then let’s read a story you and I.
