Friends and Family

Parents' Place - Early Years

Summary: Early years support, information and resources for your child.

• Assessment of your child's needs
• RNIB Early Years strategy
• Supporting children's friendships
• Recommended education resources
• RNIB Family services, support and events

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Assessment of your child's needs

We believe it is essential for children to have their needs assessed by a qualified teacher of children with sight problems at the earliest opportunity, and to receive specialist support. Early support for parents and children is essential to enable children with sight problems to develop their full potential.

If you have not been referred automatically, you can contact your specialist teacher at your education authority (or, in Northern Ireland, Education and Library Board). It is also important to have your child’s needs assessed regularly to make sure that the support keeps pace with their changing needs.

RNIB Early Years strategy

• "Starting Right" (Word 42KB) - RNIB’s strategy for improving the life chances of blind and partially sighted children and their families in early years.

Supporting children's friendships

• Helping young children make friends - an article by Marilyn Webb, who is a counsellor and teacher of children with a visual impairment.

Recommended education resources

• For advice about toys and play activities, the RNIB/BTHA Toy Catalogue is available free of charge. To order contact RNIB Customer Services, telephone 0845 702 3153 or email cservices@rnib.org.uk or order from our online shop.
• RNIB has produced a booklet in conjunction with the Early Support Programme called Information for parents: visual impairment. To order a free copy by post contact DfES publications telephone 0845 602 2260.
• Compiled by RNIB's Curriculum Access Service, our recommended teaching resources for early years are aimed at parents and teachers.
• We produce early years factsheets for teachers, nursery nurses, support staff, health visitors, social workers and eye clinic staff.
• Curriculum Clipboard - supporting early years education is mainly aimed at teachers and education professionals. It also contains information of interest to parents.

RNIB Family services, support and events

• Family Services Officers at our Regional Centres offer a range events, groups, advice and support. Contact your nearest officer to find out about local activities.

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Content author: parents@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 06/03/2008 15:41