12 Days of Literacy for the Holidays
The holidays are an exciting time of year for children and there are many opportunities to incorporate literacy into the fun! The ideas in this article include suggestions on making activities more accessible to children with visual impairments or deafblindness. In addition, there are plenty of ways to promote literacy for learners at all levels.
Story Box Ideas for Holiday Stories
Two preschool teachers share their ideas for making story boxes for holiday stories for young children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities.
Story boxes provide an interactive learning experience that promote active learning with a variety of materials and activities based on a literacy book and theme.
Here are two story book holiday ideas:
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell! by Lucille Colandro
Our article Hanukkah Books in Braille is a great place to start if you want to create a story box related to Hanukkah.
Braille Designs for the Holidays
Four braille designs that include Santa, a candy cane, Christmas tree, and an angel.
Braille designs of different holiday wreaths.
Gingerbread man braille design instructions.
Sensory Activities
Gingerbread Man Sensory Activity
Holiday Cheer and Ideas for Preschoolers
Holiday ideas for multi-sensory activities for preschool children who are blind or visually impaired.
Create a Holiday Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a creative way to promote active learning and explorations. For the month of December you can incorporate the holidays in this way.
Sensory bin ideas for December:
- Pinecones, pine tree branches, and bird seed (check for allergies first)
- Wrapped boxes, light up toys, mylar, wrapped candy canes, small stockings
- Cookie cut-out sensory bins with sand, plastic cookie cutters, spoons, and plates
- Snow themed bins with white and blue puff balls, arctic animals, cotton balls, pincer tongs
