Workshop on Early Childhood Development for visually impaired children

The Early childhood development ( ECD) practitioner workshop, sponsored by the DG Murray Trust, was held from 29 August - 2 September 2011.

This very valuable workshop was attended by 26 educators and ECD practitioners from schools for the blind and ECD centres around South Africa who cater for visually impaired children.

Speakers included representatives from the Gauteng Department of Health, Department of Basic Education, low vision specialists, a session on pre-Braille skills, as well as a visually impaired parent.

The Department of Basic Education was kind enough to give the educators Grade R resource packs in various languages.

Delegates visited the Dialogue in the Dark exhibition in Newtown and were thoroughly amazed and awed by the experience. Many said that they now know how their little learners feel and have a better understanding of a visually impaired child's world.