Braille courses for children and young people

We offer a wide range of fun, exciting courses available to help teach braille to children.

Most of the our material is aimed at young children learning to read through braille, and offers a phonetic introduction and systematic progression through the complete contracted braille code, with supplementary material at various stages.

Download our Learning braille: course and resources for children factsheet for information on braille courses and additional resources to support teachers and learners.

Choose the right braille course for you

Our Introducing braille courses help children get used to the idea of braille reading and begin to learn to read and write. Our Continuing braille courses support young braille learners to use the complete contracted (grade 2) braille code.

Welsh braille for children

Blind and partially sighted children can learn to read and write Welsh braille, using the Welsh Braille Code and Primer available in our online shop. The learning programme includes 40 graded books "Dechrau Darllen Braille Cymraeg" (Starting to Read Welsh Braille) which will help young children to learn.

There is also a library of Welsh books in braille and a catalogue is available on request. For more information about Welsh braille, please contact RNIB Cymru on telephone 029 2045 0440 or email [email protected]

Myths about children learning braille

Myth: Braille is really hard to learn

A blind child can learn to read braille just as efficiently as a sighted child can learn to read print.

With proper teaching and enough time to practice, most students can learn to read and write braille at a similar speed to other children learning to read and write. This is dependent on a child being well taught and having enough time allocated to learning braille as an essential skill rather than an added extra.

Reading print quickly and efficiently comes from years and years of training, experience and a love of reading. The same is true for learning braille.

Myth: Children with some vision would rather read large print

Children will prefer whatever they have been taught is the most acceptable. The attitude of teachers, parents and others toward Braille will largely determine how the child will feel about using it.

Myth: Writing with a slate and stylus is slow and difficult

Children who are taught from an early age to use a slate and stylus can master the skills quickly. It's no more difficult than for a sighted child learning both print and handwriting.

Unfortunately, many blind children are not being taught early and thoroughly enough, which means they may never achieve the speed and skill of older generations, who learned these skills at an early age. In addition, using braille alongside new technologies makes it even easier and more useful.