Helping Kids "Feel" Colours

Hey, kids, do you have a friend who cannot see? Do you know that you can help your friend to see colours?

Have a grown-up help you both understand. Put a mask on and have the grown-up give both of you these things to hold:

Put your hands out and hold an ice cube. Ice is cold like the blue ocean. Explain this to your friend.

Now hold a lime from the refrigerator. It should feel cool like the green grass when you walk on it barefooted. Both of you try it together while holding the cool lime.

Wow! A hot potato makes you think of fiery red. As the potato cools, tell your friend that it becomes a light red, or what we call pink.

Take a bright flashlight and shine it on your friend’s face. Explain that the warmth she feels is like the warmth from the yellow sun.

Both of you hold a big piece of white cotton in your hands. Explain that this is what a white, fluffy cloud in the blue sky looks like.

Finally, let your friend feel your face with her hands. Tell her that this is the face of true friendship.

Now, when your friend hears these colours mentioned, she will be able to picture them in her mind.

Maybe your friend can teach you the alphabet in Braille!

-- Jill Bellwood
Derry, New Hampshire, USA


Send your tips, tricks or coping methods (300 words) to: FYI, Canadian Abilities Foundation, 489 College St., Ste. 501, Toronto, ON, M6G 1A5.

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