Messy and Muddy: A Guide to Outdoor Play for Children with Vision Impairment

By Karen Hirst

Many skills and concepts can be learned through outdoor play and exploration, such as the development of orientation and mobility skills.  In addition, concrete hands-on experience provides an opportunity to learn about concepts such as wet/dry, heavy/light, big/little, which is the basis for the development of literacy and numeracy skills.

RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) shares a wonderful guide to outdoor play for children who are blind or visually impaired.  This 22-page guide was written by Karen Hirst (RNIB Children, Young People and FamiliesSpecialist Development Officer – Early Years/Early Intervention) and Kate Kotschy (Qualified Habilitation Specialist). It includes the following sections:

• Messy and muddy at home and in the garden

  • A safe environment
  • How to make CD windspinners
  • Splash and stomp
   

• Playing in and around your home

  • Gardening
  • Sensory gardens: planting ideas to get you started
  • Have a picnic
  • Be creative
  • Get messy with mud
  • Mud!
  • Sand and water
  • Water play in the garden
  • Nature and wildlife
  • Ball games and exercise
  • Ball games in the garden
  • Skittles
  • Chilling out
   

• Away from home

  • Parks and playgrounds
  • Meeting new people
  • Enjoying the park

• Exploring further

  • At the beach
  • Be prepared
  • Playing in the sand
  • Waterplay
  • Toys and games
  • Activity providers