Guide Dogs to teach primary school children about the impact of sight loss

Primary school children will be taking part in ‘Guide Dogs at School’, a new educational initiative run by charity Guide Dogs, in June 2009. They will learn all about what the charity does, and the impact of sight loss on people’s lives.

Teachers will use free ‘Guide Dogs at School’ educational and fundraising packs, based on the national curriculum.

The charity hopes to create a hand-on experience, making lessons fun and exciting, including some exciting ideas to raise money for Guide Dogs, helping to bring independence and mobility to blind and partially sighted people.

Activity sessions will focus on visual impairment, with practical challenges such as wearing a blindfold whilst pouring water into a cup, or recognising shapes through touch.  Not easy without the benefit of sight!

Problem solving sessions will help youngsters appreciate how people with sight loss adapt to carry out everyday tasks.  Recognising and matching clothes and making a cup of tea safely, for example.

Teachers might pose the question, how do people with sight loss use their other senses to get around? Wearing a blindfold and even being guided by ‘sighted’ children or teachers will help children discover the answer.

Explains Bridget Warr, Guide Dogs’ chief executive: “We often take seeing the world for granted, but loss of sight can result in a dramatic change in lifestyle, with reduced confidence and independence.

“Guide Dogs wants to encourage children to understand how people with sight loss cope and adapt, and to think how they can make life easier rather than more difficult for blind and partially sighted people.

“The charity can also make arrangements for guide dog owners and puppy walkers to speak to children about the life-enhancing experience achieved through a guide dog, and how puppies are trained for this special role.”