July 25, 2005

Curious George I'm running a day camp all this week. It's french immersion, and is centered around doing activities and arts and crafts which educate and inform the participants about a local endangered species. Hopefully in the end, we'll create a great big hand painted sign to be installed near this animal's habitat. One of the kids is blind, and has limited motor function. I'm bad enough around kids as it is...how can I make this a fun camp for him, without insulting his intelligence or making him feel left out? (He's roughly 13 or so.)
posted by stray 19 years ago
  • you say nothing about where you are. You say nothing about anything. Why not let the kid do an interactive piece for people to feel; a paper mache 3-D version for others to touch. He needs to know enough about his subject to be credible. Blind people hae amazing perception.
  • I've always wondered how blind people would do at sculpture, since my reaction to the medium is more tactile than visual. Maybe have him get to know a face with his hands and then sculpt his impression in clay, checking the model when necessary. Assuming that his motor skills would allow that, even if it was a slow process it might turn into something something wonderful.
  • I don't really understand why you need to know where I am, Cynnbad. What else do you want to know? Maybe I should add that he's in a wheelchair. I've discussed doing sculpture with his parents, and I'm definitely going to try it. They weren't sure if he'd be able to really handle it, but I'll give it a try, thanks. We're also going to bring in a keyboard for him, since he does enjoy music very much. He's got a fantastic ear.
  • And don't get me wrong, I'm going to ask him exactly what he wants to do. I'd just like to get a few more suggestions, so that I can look into equipment, or what not.
  • Sorry if I was obtuse. Your location isn't the issue; what are the resources you can offer this child? Give him what is available; be creative, the both of you. Use what is at hand and make the most of the moment. I truly believe that an easy touch-to-reality sculpture encounter is good. The trick is to connect with the animals in question. If you are truly interested in endagered species, not all of them will make it, of course.
  • Plus, make it fun for everone. I really endorse giving him wings by letting him create something that is a new piece of art above and beyond all of us. And bless you for caring.
  • I second cynnbad's sentiments. But,I think an endangered specie's face would have to have some strong features to work for sculpturing by feel. Maybe a bird, though that might be hard to find a model for for if you don't have stuffed birds in your drawer. On the other hand, aren't humans endangered in the long run? His dealing with that might make him cutting edge, with the proper coaching.
  • The sculpture idea is good and perhaps you could also involve him in creating the text for the sign. Maybe a poem or a song.
  • or some sort of complementary audio track...
  • Your mention of the keyboard and his "fantastic ear" made me think of writing a simple song about the animal. Maybe he could work with other kids on the music, lyrics and/or accompanying the rest of the kids on keyboard when they all sing it. It would also be nice if the "great big hand painted sign" had something on it for Braille readers, especially if he is one, though I'm not sure how to turn that thought into an arts & crafts type suggestion. Good luck. On preview, I see that islander and kamus have gotten to the point more succintly.
  • Ooo, this is really great, guys. I've had some similar ideas, but you've given me some ways to expand on them. Thanks.