Watch children

This activity is commonly practiced at schools with sighted children using a pen.

They have to draw a line between words to identify each of them. That’s quick to do, but in the case of a braille student it’s not possible. The drawing line won’t be seen and transform it into a tactile one may lead to confusion between lines and letters.

One solution is to use LEGO Braille Bricks. Bricks can be frequently removed and replaced anywhere, as needed.

In the video, Tao is doing this exercise for the first time. He uses both hands as if he were reading a book.

Even though he reads braille well, he needs to be guided to explore. He quickly finds a good strategy and enjoys the trial-and-error approach. He reads out loud, makes mistakes and corrects them when reminded that the words must mean something!

It can be hard to focus on many things at once. Tao puts all his attention on following lines and moving bricks! It helps to read out loud and see if the word means something or not. At the end of the exercise, the words are reread and checked for spaces in between.

Actively engaged play, as opposed to passive activity, leads to deeper understanding. Learning through play is even more meaningful when children do it with others.

Don’t hesitate to share your suggestions below to help children succeed in the activity!