Feeling This Life

This month Paige, Cathy and Jenny discuss Cathy’s interview with Dr. Mindy Ely and her insights on the successful preschool classroom for young children with blindness and low vision. Jenny shares how the interview helps her to understand how social skill instruction needs to change as children get older and what works for her daughter now. Paige and Cathy comment on the challenges and needs of the young child in an inclusive setting, reflecting that it is so much more than braille labels in the classroom! Cathy notes that our educators need to be open to a variety of learning theories for their students to be successful. And finally, the group agreed that using children’s names and structuring the environment are positive strategies to use in the preschool classroom.  **We recognize that some of our conversation on this podcast can cause strong feelings about preschool settings and learning theories! If you feel differently, please let us know! Send us a voicemail or an email on your opinion! We would love to hear from you!  Next month's episode will be a book talk on Jim Littlefield-Dalmares's "Seeing Ability". We hope you read it with us! Access the book here. Dr. Ely’s strategies are based on research in “Structured Teaching” (Pullum et al., 2020), that you can access here. For a simpler explanation, visit https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/autism-spectrum-disorder/articles/physical-structure-school-setting  for an explanation of how the physical structure of the Preschool Classroom can benefit all students with developmental disabilities.   The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a framework designed to help your child master essential life skills like spatial awareness, self-advocacy, and daily independence. To see how these nine areas come to life for children who are blind and have low vision, check out VIPS's video resource, Every Child Can! and this comprehensive overview from the Perkins School for the Blind.  We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife  Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠      Make a Donation to-   VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠     Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠   Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠ 

This month Paige, Cathy and Jenny discuss mealtime strategies for young children with blindness and low vision. Paige and Cathy consider “aha” moments from their participation in the MRVI (Mealtime Routines for Visual Impairment) research project.  After reflecting on how vision is used incidentally in learning to eat, the group discusses practical strategies such as “eating cheek to cheek” to demonstrate chewing, providing multiple accessible spoons and the importance of good lighting and positioning for utensil use. They also address how children who are G-tube fed can still meaningfully participate in mealtime routines.   Relevant Links for the episode:    Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding: https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/division-of-responsibility/  The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a framework designed to help your child master essential life skills like spatial awareness, self-advocacy, and daily independence. To see how these nine areas come to life for children who are blind and have low vision, check out VIPS's video resource, Every Child Can! and this comprehensive overview from the Perkins School for the Blind.  If you want a copy of the MRVI Idea Sheets to use as a TVI and Family team, email us at [email protected]. We will share them as soon as we can.   We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife  Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠      Make a Donation to-   VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠     Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠   Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠ 

Jenny interviews Trisha Conkin. Trisha is a Licensed Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) and a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) who has proudly served with VIPS for the past three years. Since beginning her career in 2002, Trisha has worked as an itinerant TVI and O&M specialist throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, supporting children from preschool through 12th grade with a wide range of vision and diverse educational needs.  She is passionate about partnering with families to help their children build independence, confidence, and the skills they need to succeed. At VIPS, Trisha is dedicated to empowering families of children with blindness or low vision to reach their fullest potential. Paige, Jenny and Dr. Cathy explore the challenges of introducing orientation and mobility (O&M) to young children, especially the early use of canes. Dr. Cathy discusses how O&M practices have evolved and the emotional hurdles families face. Jenny and Paige share personal stories about public reactions, early independence, and building spatial awareness. The episode emphasizes supporting families, reducing stigma, and helping them understand the long‑term benefits of early O&M.   We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife     Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠          Make a Donation to-     VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠         Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠     Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠    ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠   

Season 6 of Feeling This Life Season 6 is coming soon! Join us for Thriving from the Start, where we come together to break down the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into practical, everyday life for young children who are blind or have low vision. What to expect this season: Hands-on strategies for daily routines (like neighborhood walks and mealtimes) Insights from those who walk the journey of blindness and low vision, TVIs, and O&M specialists A special book talk featuring Seeing Ability, by Jim Littlefield-Dalmares  Mark your calendar: Season 6 launches Monday, September 7th! New episodes drop on the first Monday of every month at 7:00 AM Eastern. The Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) is a framework designed to help your child master essential life skills like spatial awareness, self-advocacy, and daily independence. To see how these nine areas come to life for children who are blind and have low vision, check out VIPS's video resource, Every Child Can! and this comprehensive overview from the Perkins School for the Blind.  We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife  Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠      Make a Donation to-   VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠     Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠   Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠ 

In this episode, we answer listener questions from families and professionals supporting children who are blind or have low vision. We share practical ideas, real-life experiences, and honest conversation. Links for resources mentioned in this episode: CVI Scottland: CVI Scotland is a charitable organization (SC046836) and comprehensive online resource dedicated to understanding, identifying, and supporting cortical visual impairment (CVI). It provides evidence-based information for parents, educators, and professionals to help them understand how CVI impacts daily life, offering, lessons, and practical tools. https://cviscotland.org/ CVI Now: Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of childhood blindness and low vision. CVI Now through Perkins School for the Blind follows current research, center the diverse CVI lived experiences, and support families and educators. Every person with CVI has the right to a timely diagnosis, and the support and access they need to find their place in the world. https://www.perkins.org/cvi-now/ Great IDEA Game Show Feeling This Life Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kIwOomBrJkeh1FOfzSux5?si=F2AiHKjESgyknUzns6pSxA ECTA: The ECTA Center supports state IDEA  programs in developing high-quality, effective, and sustainable state and local systems, to improve access, services, and supports for children with disabilities and their families that result in positive outcomes. https://ectacenter.org/  We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife  Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.   Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠        Make a Donation to-    VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠       Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠  

Jenny interviews Rachel Will and Meggan Heady, two experienced public school teachers who once taught her daughter. The conversation is about how educational experiences are strengthened through collaboration between families, general education teachers and teachers of the visually impaired or other specialties.  Cathy shares insights on Universal Design for Learning and how educators can create learning environments that meet the needs of all students. She explains how thoughtful lesson design, multiple ways for students to engage with content and varied options for demonstrating learning can help make classrooms more inclusive and accessible.  Later in the conversation, Jenny and Paige talk about the anxiety many families feel about how their child will do in school, especially during important transitions. From starting school for the first time to moving between grades or classrooms, they share insights into why these moments can feel overwhelming for both children and parents.  We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife  Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.   Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠        Make a Donation to-    VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠       Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠  

Paige interviews Emily Munson, a preschool teacher in an early childhood classroom for children who are medically complex. Emily shares her journey of finding her way to her dream classroom. She tells how she includes children who are blind and low vision, and gives a sneak peek into her favorite lesson to teach. Jenny, Paige, and Cathy discuss the powerful impact of preschool. They reflect on the way that Emily seamlessly integrates strategies into the environment that help children thrive and ease parental anxiety. The group dives deep into the importance of observation as a foundational tool for both teachers and families. Jenny and Paige emphasize that learning to "watch and wait" is a vital skill for families before jumping into action. The conversation also covers the often-daunting transition from early intervention to preschool. Cathy breaks down the role of Child Find, a federal requirement that ensures children are evaluated for special education services, and how the process varies by state. Paige shares how early intervention programs support families through this eligibility process. Finally, the team discusses the importance of trusting your instincts when choosing a school and utilizing State Early Learning Guidelines to ensure children are getting the support they need. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/child-find-what-it-is-and-how-it-works  We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.  Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠      Make a Donation to-   VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠     Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠   Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠ 

Cathy interviews Zoe Larsen Morgese, an experienced SLP. Zoe and Cathy discuss the importance of early communication between caregivers and young children with blindness and low vision.  Zoe shares her longtime experience learning about communication of the young child during mealtimes through a federal IES research project and as an SLP for educational programs across the country. Zoe discusses the importance of learning to read children’s cues to encourage successful, enjoyable mealtimes. She recommends further reading through Ellyn Satter’s Child of Mine book and the Ellyn Satter Institute and a parent friendly organization called Feeding Matters at https://www.feedingmatters.org/who-we-are/ where you can find support, information, and research. Another excellent resource is the Facebook Page “Kid’s Eat in Color” which is managed by a child nutritionist. For those who would like to see the touching “family time” video about eating together that Zoe and Cathy discussed, here is the link:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9ZMZBSa9q8&t=5s Jenny, Cathy & Paige discuss how important establishing beginning, middle and ending routines are for infants and toddlers throughout the day, particularly for young children with blindness and low vision. These early communication efforts lead to joint attention, anticipation, vocabulary development, and choice-making skills. Jenny and Paige emphasize that these efforts can be easily incorporated into family life.   We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife   Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.    Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠        Make a Donation to-    VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠       Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠  

Cathy interviews Carol Benson Puchalski. Carol and Cathy discuss the importance of social emotional development between caregivers and young children with blindness and low vision.  Carol shares her longtime experience learning about social/emotional development of the young child through research and as a consultant for the programs at Anchor Center for Blind Children in Denver, Colorado. Carol discusses the importance of learning about early brain development and how social emotional experiences can last a lifetime. More information and videos to share are available at https://developingchild.harvard.edu/?s=Infant+mental+health    and  https://www.zerotothree.org/issue-areas/infant-and-early-childhood-mental-health/ Jenny, Cathy & Paige discuss how unique real-life experiences with sleeping can be and the benefits of the resources shared by Carol as social media is not always reliable. Cathy and Paige discuss “serve and return” research as well as the goal of responsive parenting for children with blindness and low vision.   We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife   Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found here.    Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠        Make a Donation to-    VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠       Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠  

Jenny interviews Christie Gage. Christie and Jenny discuss the importance and challenges of O&M and its vital role in the blind/low vision community. Christie has a bachelor’s degree in Adapted Physical Education and Health, Adapted Physical Activity, Orientation and Mobility and Specialist, and Doctorate of Education in Special Education Leadership and Management.  She has worked as an O&M for 9 years, teaching blind and visually impaired youth how to access their school and community. Currently serving 24 school districts in the state of Kentucky, she is also a licensed TVI. She has been involved with Envision Blind Sports for 12 years, providing blind and visually impaired youth sport and recreation opportunities. She has also been a Lions Club member for over 5 years and is the recipient of many Lions’ awards. Jenny, Cathy & Paige discuss trust and safety for children who are blind and low vision, including experiences with orientation and mobility services. They explore various aspects of providing O&M services, including the benefits of early cane introduction and the challenges of limited specialist availability, while sharing personal experiences and research findings.    Christie discusses her experience with Envision Blind Sports. More information is available at https://www.envisionblindsports.org   We love voicemail! Please leave us a message: https://www.speakpipe.com/FeelingThisLife   Children who are blind and low “Vision AND” have additional needs may receive early intervention services from multiple professionals.  A list of those services can be found  here.    Please give us your feedback using this survey link: ⁠⁠https://educationutah.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39OmBvMih6MlgNw⁠⁠        Make a Donation to VIPS: ⁠⁠https://secure.vips.org/np/clients/vips/donation.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&campaign=495⁠⁠       Follow us on Facebook @⁠Feelingthislifepodcast⁠ and Instagram @⁠Feelingthislife⁠    Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠www.vips.org⁠