We started November's Sibshop off by creating some fun handprint turkeys. We don't get paint out too often at Sibshops, but when we do, we go big! The kids seemed to enjoy getting their hands covered in all colors of our tempera paints and they created some really fun and colorful Thanksgiving turkeys.
For the majority of this months Sibshop, we were pleased to welcome the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind. We are so grateful for Debbie S. and her willingness to come out and visit our group each year. This year was unique in that this group of Sibshoppers largely had NOT participated in a simulation before. It was a little exciting and maybe anxiety inducing to have most of our Sibshoppers doing the simulation for the first time.
Getting prepped for the simulation takes a little bit of time! In order to make it as realistic as possible, you put in foam ear plugs, wear a head band over your eyes and ears, follow that with a mask and finish things off with a pair of heavy duty headphones. On top of that, no one is allowed to talk during the simulation. All of those things combine to make it an awfully dark and quiet environment.
Every Sibshopper had the opportunity to participate in the simulation in two different ways. Everyone gets the opportunity to be a guide and to lead a fellow Sibshopper through a series of activities, including walking through the building, getting a drink of water from a fountain, opening doors and going up and down stairs. It doesn't take long for us to realize how dependent on our sight and hearing we are in performing such everyday tasks!
Each Sibshopper also had the opportunity to take part in the simulation by being a deaf/blind participant. Other activities included feeling a pumpkin, putting a puzzle together, being fed and given a drink. These tasks can be really disconcerting without sight and sound. The kids quickly experienced a sense of confusion and irritability when they just didn't understand what it was they were supposed to accomplish with their "play" tasks.
Our Sibshoppers really seemed to enjoy this experience! Thank you USDB!
We wrapped up our last Sibshop of the year 2013 with a fun game of Push Pin Soccer. This got the kids going and they were really disappointed when we quickly ran out of balloons!
See you in 2014! Happy Holidays!
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