Ready for the World: Recreation & Leisure ECC

Children learn an incredible amount of information about how the world works and how to do things through observation. Blindness means that a lot of things need to be taught explicitly, which is why blind students have an expanded core curriculum. These life skills go beyond reading Braille, using a cane, or cooking. They include things to help one be happy and balanced. 

My favorite Friday class to teach is Recreation and Leisure. This class could just be about card games, but my co-teacher and I believe in taking our students outside! I've taken kids hiking who have never walked in the woods before. Can you imagine? We talk about how soft the ground is, and what the trees smell like, and feel how thin the trunks are of many of the trees in the woods. We go fishing, set up tents, and learn to build fires and cook over them. We walk to the park and try to kick a ball, toss a football, throw a frisbee. We get sack lunches for picnics and explore our community. 

On rainy days, they've gone bowling, lifted weights, or played with clay. No passive activities for us. Students already know how to watch movies.

It is amazing to see the personalities soften as every student gets a chance to shine and relax. Take a minute to assess your own week or month. Are you making time in your life to enjoy your life.