Most of our brain growth and development happens during the first five years of our lives. Since sensory impairment can affect this process, intervention started early is most effective in preparing children for further education. But, we must pause and consider that a lot of the children’s books available in bookstores are not friendly towards all children. Although there are many quality publications for our children, what if you or your young one is visually impaired? What if the book is written in a language alien to you?

Chetana, along with The National Association for the Blind and Vidya Sagar, has augmented five titles in Tamil and English from Tulika Publishers. Although the books are designed keeping disabilities in mind, the adaptations build literacy in all children. Children can feel the pictures, listen to clear spoken stories, dramatize the story with the props provided and even read along with the tape. Decoding Braille helps develop reasoning and attention skills, the raised drawings helps develop sensory awareness and perspective and the props build language and imagination in all children. The books are being read and enjoyed by children in our city schools.

Here are instructions on how to use the books and the supporting material:

1. Ten comes with 10 dolls and a cow bell
2. My Mother's Sari comes with a half-sari
3. Line and Circle
4. Gadda Gadda Guddu Guddu comes with a marble, a kite, a flat stone, a top and a gilli-danda
5. Look the Moon comes with the phases of the moon cut out on silver paper

Where is the Button ?

A unique publication written by Shanti Bhattacharya has been crafted keeping the diverse learning needs of children with varying abilities in mind.The clear, bold illustrations by Kaveri Murthy enable children with low vision to connect the pictures with the story while the inclusion of Braille and actual buttons help the child who has no sight.

As with most materials developed with children with disabilities in mind, in practice, we found the book supports the needs of all children. Emphasizing senses in addition to vision, such as discrimination by touch (the button feels different) enriches the largely visual and auditory focus in teaching young children.

First generation learners, who are not familiar with English, were quick to understand the words in the story as they used buttons to act out the story. (How to use the book)