Showing posts with label Anne Sullivan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anne Sullivan. Show all posts

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Montessori, Disabilities and the Story of Helen Keller

A novel matching work using my shell collection.  "Banjo" sits on his mother's lap and confirms that these two shells are the same.  His vision is pretty limited in one eye, so he's mostly using his sense of touch.
Can you help me find resources and information on helping this boy?

Over the summer I started tutoring 5-year-old "Banjo," using whatever I can from my Montessori bag of tricks.  Banjo cannot sit on his own, is fed through a feeding tube and has only one good eye, but he is strong and spirited!
Banjo's hands are often curled, so his mom helps him to touch....

I offered my services to sort of stimulate his senses with the Montessori materials I have at home and what I have been able to make, but honestly it's all trial and error.  I have fallen in love with not only this boy, but his entire family, so I wish I could find more out there about working with children of various abilities.  Do you know of any good websites or resources for us?


With a button he can say "yes" or "no.

I've introduced Sandpaper Letters, Fabric Matching, Sound Matching and some large-knobbed puzzles.  I'm looking forward to trying a taste matching work soon!


Along these lines I'm inspired by a movie I watched recently, The Miracle Worker.   In this review you can see that Maria Montessori had great regard for the work of Helen Keller's teacher, Anne Sullivan.  If you'd like to get your own copy, click here:  The Miracle Worker