Does anyone have a good gift idea for a little girl who is turning 6 and is blind?

Answer 1

Yeah, I have some ideas, but not specific gifts, just ideas on which areas you should look in to.

Blind children are exactly like children how are not blind. They grow through play, are innocent, and a joy. Children need a great deal of intellectual stimulous, and love.

I assume the child is in school and learning to read braille. If so, you could consider a c hild's book written in braille. This would encourage her learning and help her come to appreciate the world of imagination of words, and how it can trasport her to other countries, people, experiances, and imaginary world in books such as Harry Potter. I am not sure if Harry Potter is writtem in braille, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were. Harry Potter is a wonderful story which opens the imagination and encourages thougt while entertaining the reader. If she has not progressed far enough in braille as yet, after all she is only six, then you could consider an audio book. Audio books are read aloud by individuals who can bring the story alive, and it helps to encourage all that personal reading does. It would be a fine gift for anyone, including a six year old child.

I personally believe in giving educational gifts. These days with our school systems so dysfunctional we as parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc, are finding it neccassary to supliment our childrens school fare, with supplies and toys they can utilize at home. My husband and I have a policy to purchase only educational toys as gifts for grandchildren, great nieces and nepfews, etc. They may cost a bit more than traditional stupid making toys,, such as Barbie, but it stimulates their brains and opens their imaginations. My sister use to puchase books for her nieces and nephews and it started a tradition in our family. Now, we carry on her tradition by the purchase of educational toys.

There are a lot more blind children and adults in our country than many realize. There is an entire community which helps each other and provides information and technology. There is a lot of research.

Just because a child is blind does not mean s/he is any less of a child, and any less needing of the identical normal childhood activities and playthings.

I am going to do a Google Search and see what I can find for you, OK? Hold on a moment while I do this.

First, I found an article which you may find extremely helpful and supportive. It starts by refering to a father of a blind child and his search for educational toys. I think you will find this very informative and supportive:

http://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr02/Issue5/f020505.html

Here is a Braille book store for readers of all ages, and it also offers Speaking Books, which are book on tape read aloud:

http://www.bookshare.org/web/Welcome.html?gclid=COX67qWHy48CFSW-YAodSCv3qQ

Here is one for children only:

http://www.seedlings.org/

This last one is a membership club which sends out a braille book once a month for a year. This one may be a great gift when she is older and more fluent in braille:

http://www.nbp.org/ic/nbp/cbbc/index.html

OK, now I will do a Google Search for toys and other educational options:

Here are just two results from my Google Search titled: Educational toys for the blind. There were hundreds of results so I am only putting two here.

http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/at/adaptive-toys.html

http://www.braillebookstore.com/view.php?C=Toys+and+Games

Now, you can also do a Search for such options in your area where you can walk in and view the offerings. While I trust most Online Stores, I also use a special credit card which allows me to use a diposable number created by my card, with a software program via CITI Card. It allows for use at only one store, and if somebody sells or rents the number it is useless to them. I can also set a monetary limit, and an experation date, and it has all the identical features of a regular card, which means I can refuse payment, or have payment reversed if I am not satisfied, or if the item does not arrive, or any other valid reason for refusal of payment. Credit cards and Paypal allows for reversal of payment in the event of disputs.

Good luck in finding the perfect gift for this child. How sweet of you to want to find resources and items which will most meet her needs. Children learn and grow through play, so it is important to provide them with the tools they need.

Have a nice day and I hope her birthday is just super!