Understanding what's under my feet

These activities are suitable for children aged 27-36 months and align with stage 5 of the Developmental Journal Babies Visual Impairment (DJVI).

Safety first

What you'll need

• Different textured surfaces, bubble wrap, paper, rubber mats, rugs, leaves, pebbles, sand and soil

Activity

• Try playing games which encourage balancing on one foot. Hold both of your child’s hands initially and gradually reduce your support. Games such as Simon Says, or children’s yoga poses work well.
• Play games that involve reaching up high. At first, hold your child’s hands to encourage them to stand on their tiptoes.
• Try walking on different gradients of slopes. This should be introduced by firstly holding your child’s hand until they become confident to walk without support.
• Walking as quietly as possible on crinkle paper, bubble wrap, leaves or pebbles. You may need to hold your child’s hands initially, but their balance will improve with practice.
• Use simple words consistently to describe activities as you and your child complete these together.