Guest Writer: Amanda Henderson ⎸amanda@safechildren.info
Our children open our hearts in ways we never thought possible. Words simply cannot describe the fulfillment and joy that our children bring into our lives. Of course, parenting isn’t easy. The toddler years can be particularly challenging for any parent. If your toddler is blind or visually impaired, you’ll need to take some extra steps and precautions to ensure your child’s safety, comfort and happiness during those crucial years of life.
Web accessibility specialist Travis Lee explains how both you and your child can survive the “terrible two’s.”
The Truth About Temper Tantrums
First, remember that temper tantrums are often the only way your child knows how to express his or her frustration. Often, your child is simply upset that someone (perhaps even you, the parent) isn’t understanding what she is trying to communicate. Possibly, your child is angry that he isn’t able to independently do something that he wants to do. Whatever the case may be, remind yourself that temper tantrums are simply part of the deal -- and that’s true for all toddlers, not just yours.
When the inevitable temper tantrum happens (trust me, it will) you can manage the temper tantrum just like you would with any other child. Parents magazine suggests remaining calm, don’t show your anger or frustration, and don’t allow yourself to reinforce your child’s bad behaviors.
Start with a Sketch
Figuring out how to rearrange furniture to “childproof” your home can be overwhelming, and the fact that your child has a visual impairment can add complications to an already stressful time in your life. To save yourself some time and effort (not to mention sanity) consider getting out the good old pencil-n-paper and drawing up a sketch of each room in the home.
Sketching the outside is a good idea, too, because you’ll want to be sure to prepare the exterior of your home as well as the interior. Things like smooth sidewalks to prevent tripping and a fence to mark boundaries can boost safety outdoors. If you need a fence installed, finding a qualified contractor has never been easier; simply do an online search for “fence installers near me” and use service directory Angi to read through customer reviews to narrow down your search.
Reducing Clutter
Regardless of whether your child is completely blind or just has a visual impairment such as low vision, Child Safety Center notes that it’s important for your child’s safety to keep the home as clutter-free as possible. There are some simple steps you can take to hopefully reduce the chances of your child slipping, tripping, falling, or otherwise getting hurt. First, move any furniture out of the walking pathways and doorways.
Be Consistent
Avoid the urge to rearrange furniture. Even though it’s nice to redecorate and make our homes more “feng shui,” it can create confusion and risk of injury for our little ones. When items are stored in a consistent location, it makes things easier on your child and might even create more dreaded temper tantrums.
By carefully rearranging your furniture and making some simple, easy home modifications, it is possible to adapt your home for your visually impaired child or toddler. Your child might still be too young to understand the significance of what you’ve done for him or her, but your DIY “home improvements” will enable your child to have more independence, while making your home safer for your little one. While it’s not possible to completely eliminate temper tantrums, these steps might at least reduce some of your child’s frustration and make the toddler years a little bit easier on both of you.
Travis Lee is a web accessibility specialist and instructional designer focused on creating innovative and interactive learning for students of all ages with an emphasis on a simple and engaging user experience. Reach out today! travis.lee@ucop.edu