Our presentation at Joseph Sears Elementary School yesterday started with me reading out loud from the Braille version of Hanni and Beth: Safe & Sound,
At Joseph Sears school yesterday.
and then I explained three rules the kids should keep in mind if they happen to see a guide dog with a harness on: don’t pet the dog, don’t feed the dog, and don’t call out the dog’s name. “Those things can distract a Seeing Eye dog,” I told them. “It’d be like if someone nudged you or kept calling your name wile you were working on your spelling words at school. You wouldn’t be able to concentrate on your work.”
A concerned kindergartner raised her hand. “Can you pet the dog?” I assured her I could, leaning down to do just that. “It’s part of the bonding,” I explained. “She has to know that I’m special. I’m the only one who can pet her when her harness is on, and that helps remind her to take care of me and help me stay safe.”
And with that, we were off. The kids wanted to know how I sit in a chair, if being blind was scary, do I watch TV, how I am able to drive, how I get dressed and whether I ever make mistakes. That last question made me laugh. “One time I gave a presentation at a school and I was wearing two different shoes!” The kids laughed, too, and then the whole conversation turned to, you guessed it: shoes.
- Kid: How do you tie your shoes?
- Me: How many of you know how to tie your shoes?
- Kids: I do! I do! I don’t! Yes! My sister knows how! No! I do!
- Me: Well, those of you who can tie your shoes, I bet if you close your eyes you could tie them, too.
- Kid: (background sound of quiet fumbling at feet) How many shoes do you have?
- Me: Well, after I made the mistake with the shoes that time, I got rid of a lot of shoes. I only have four pairs now: One closes with Velcro, another is a slip on, and two pairs that tie. One of the tie shoes has round shoelaces, the other has flat shoelaces,that’s how I tell them apart.
And that’s when I got the idea. Tell them how to play the shoe game. You form a circle, put blindfolds on, and everyone takes their shoes off and throws them in a pile in the middle of the circle. When the teacher says, “go” you have to find your shoes and put them on. First person with shoes on wins.
The teacher yesterday appreciated right away how this game might teach children how much they can determine from their sense of touch. She promised the kids they’d play next week. “I won’t tell you what day we’re going to do it, though,” she warned. “I don’t want you all wearing slip ons that day!”
Time was up already, but as we got up to leave one boy called out one last question. “What if you were a boy, and you put on Cinderella shoes, and you didn’t know you had them on and you wore them home by mistake?” Hmmm. Guess he’ll just have to wait until the Shoe Game next week to find out.
I am loving the mental picture the shoe game brings to mind. Hugs
Sent from my iPhon
Brightened my day! Great post. Cute kids.
Aw, shucks. Thanks! You may not know it, but you are partly responsible for my visit to Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth. Caroline Degenaars is the person who recommended me. I met Caroline at a presentation I gave for the Seeing Eye, she introduced herself and said she knew you, Caroline’s kids used to go to Sears and when another mom called for suggestions about an author visit, she was kind enough to refer tha mom to me. When stuff like this happens it sure makes me smile, so thanks for brightening *my* day too!
The Shoe Game sounds great. If you hear how that works out, let us know.
Will do.
I love reading about your school visits, whether the students are young kids or folks with a bit more life experience.
The shoe game sounds like a great way to creatively apply a different sensory experience to an everyday task. Made me smile!
Love your idea for a shoe game! (Can I steal it?) I also gave presentations on the 17th and 18th to 110 2nd graders at our local school with my Future Leader Dog Dutch. I am always amazed at the quality of questions from these kids. I have them make binoculars with their fists and look through the tiny opening to simulate a visual impairment. I also have a guide dog harness–and ask for a volunteer to see what “Juno” training is like. They get a big kick out of that! I love helping to educate these kids about what to do when they see a working dog, and it’s good training for my puppy, too! I also share your story about Harper when we talk about when guide dogs retire. Thanks for all you do!
Oh, Patty, it makes me feel so good that the story of my retired dog Harper is helping the kids you visit understand how challenging and heroic these guides are. And of *course* you can steal the Shoe Game: imitation is the best form of flattery!
I mean, the highest form.
That was special and I love the genuine unabashed interest of children, its sad that we seem to lose that in later life
Yes, the world could use far more unabashed interest
I love the shoe game, and the question about making mistakes.
Me, too. Is there a similar game you play to teach kids about blindness in Ireland? Just curious.
Beth, you never cease to amaze me. The way you connect with children is absolutely beautiful.
Aw, shucks. Thanks, Ray. You know what the secret is? Treat them like adults – respect their questions and answer them candidly and honestly. Kids love it, and I love being with them, too.
I love the picture; the kids are all facing you and Whit and really engaged!
Nancy B, I love it when you comment with quick descriptions of the photos you like here, helps me picture them myself.
Maybe the kid who asked about the Cinderella-shoes-by-mistake was trying to tell you something.
I have a feeling you’re right.
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I love reading about your school visits, whether the students are young kids or folks with a bit more life experience.
What a coincidence –I like writing them whether the questions come from adults or kids, too. Thanks for your positive comment here, very much appreciated.
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