Children Ages 6 – 13
Our Lighthouse teacher gave us the confidence to raise Joshua to believe there are no limits on what he can do.
- Ling, parent
We believe every child should be able to fully participate in school, jobs and recreational activities and feel no limits to what they can become.
Children’s Program
The Children’s Program provides educational and enrichment activities for children ages 6-13 to build skills, confidence and knowledge of the world around them. The program utilizes the nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum which addresses concepts and skills in the areas beyond the traditional academics taught in the school classroom that are essential to prepare children who are blind or visually impaired to become successful, independent young adults.
Instructors help elementary and middle school age children build on the skills learned in Early Intervention. They also teach critical skills in socialization, independent living and communication as part of the nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum of Students with Visual Impairments.
The term Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is used to define concepts and skills that often require specialized instruction with students who are blind or visually impaired in order to compensate for decreased opportunities to learn incidentally by observing others (see details below).
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Children’s Program, the child must have a bilateral visual impairment and be able to benefit from the services provided.
Services
At school, children work with Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) to ensure their academic success in the classroom. At the Lighthouse, our TVIs work with students to gain all the other skills that are important for success in life. Students meet twice a month on Saturdays during the school year and receive instruction in all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum of Students with Visual Impairments…and they also have fun!
- Independent Living
- Safe and adapted techniques for cooking
- Budgeting and money management
- Social & Communication Skills
- Self-advocacy – how to make their needs known and advocate for themselves
- Meet, play and socialize with others who are visually impaired
- Assistive Technology
- Learn to use a computer keyboard
- Learn to use adaptive devices and technology to access information
- Career Exploration
- Exposure and exploration of a variety of jobs
- Recreation & Leisure
- Fun field trips
- Arts and crafts, team building games and activities
- Orientation & Mobility
- Continued instruction using a white cane and low-vision tools
- Introduction to different options for transportation
Life Skills Summer Camp
Life Skills Camp is an extension of the year-round program which addresses the areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum. The three-week camp for children ages 6 – 13, is designed to build life skills in independent living, orientation and mobility and socialization through fun activities such as cooking, crafts and field trips. Campers hone in computer skills in our computer lab and work on communication skills through writing and group activities.
Some of the camp activities include:
- Meal planning
- Shopping trips for ingredients
- Cooking
- Ordering food and eating at a restaurant
- Using computers with access technology
- Fire and home safety
- Arts & crafts
- Drum circle
- Reptile show
- Fun field Trips to:
- Bowling
- Movie theater
- Rock climbing gym
- Indoor trampoline center
- Job discovery field trips to
- Optometrist’s office
- Bank