A big part of summer can include water. Using water activities can easily be adapted for individual students keeping in line with a UDL approach, remembering that positive experiences create an interested and eager learner.
Using a UDL Approach
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that aims to make learning accessible and effective for all students by proactively designing flexible learning environments and curricula. It focuses on minimizing barriers and maximizing learning opportunities for every student by considering individual differences in how they learn.
Read more about the UDL approach from: Cornell University Article
Starting out small
If your child is hesitant of new activities, start out small by using materials in your home. Make a sensory water bin with their favorite small toys getting “washed” by them. This can also be done during bath time or allowing them to pull a chair up to the sink and help with dishes.
- Get a container with water that is a comfortable temperature.
- Place a sponge, rag, cup, and a few of their favorite small toys that are water safe to wash them.
- Model how to clean them using the cup to gently pour water over the items
Put items in frozen ice cubes
Place some toys in containers with water and freeze them overnight. On the next hot day, take the cubes outside and let the fun begin by letting the ice melt and discovering what was in each one, which could be a favorite plastic animal, car, or dinosaur.
Get out the bucket, paint brushes, and spray bottles
Have your children get out a bucket and paint brushes and paint the sidewalk/driveway with paint brushes.
Make a car wash for bikes, scooters, and wheelchairs
Children can line up the vehicles they use and wash them just like we would do our cars. Letting them use the hose on a soft setting to rinse it clean after all the suds are on them is a fan favorite.
Time to water the plants
Along the same line of watering hose, let them go out to the garden and water the plants. You can get them their own size watering can or if they are able to spritz a water bottle, this can be a long activity with little prep.
Use a small pool to start with
If your are planning pool days, start with a small pool with just your child in it and their favorite toys. Create positive memories with this activity before heading to a large public pool that can be overwhelming.
Water balloons
Read about water balloons as an example of an experience story, where the student retells the experience with the adult as part of our Experience Stories, Playing with Words.
Get out in nature
Let nature do the heavy lifting by going to a place that has a small stream, lake, or quiet beach area. Going to these places may be sensory overload, so considerations must come into play. Start off with short visits when there won’t be a lot of people and activity. Follow their lead if they are feeling nervous. Demonstrate to them by you doing what you are asking of them. Maybe it is putting your hand in the water, picking up a rock out of the water, jumping barefoot at the edge of the water. Pre-explain what you will be doing, don’t make demands, and describe/show them it can be a rewarding adventure.
Going to the beach on a hot summer day with tons of people all around may be a set-up for some difficult times. Keep that in mind so you and your loved ones can relax and enjoy the season.
Incorporating STEAM learning
STEAM-based learning is an educational approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics into a cohesive learning model. –The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM
Learning takes place throughout our day for all of us. Incidental learning must be more purposeful for our students with visual impairments. Water activities in the summer can help with these goals.
Having fun with water leads to a lot of discoveries:
- Can my toys sink or swim?
- How much water can a sponge hold?
- How man rocks can I put in a bucket before the water overflows?
- Full, empty, 1/2 full?
- Tell me about what you did in the water today?
- Did you like the car wash or the paintbrushes the best?
Extensions
- Think of words used during water play, create a word bank and use them in sentences when creating out letters, personalized stories, or journaling.
- Create a summer activity book personalized to your child. Take pictures or use tactile graphics for each activity. Have them help write about each activity with prompts, cues, specifics. If your child is non-verbal, let them answer with their communication devices using “yes” and “no” responses.
- Write a letter to send to a friend or family member about one of their water play days.
- Create a video journal to share with others about their experience.
- Make an art collage with pieces of items used or with photos of the day
