0 - 5 years is the most critical stage of human development and covers infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. For this age group, Age Appropriate Participation is primarily centered around the activities of the home. As your child develops their participation extends out into the community eg. playgroup and/or preschool, visiting family and friends, trips to the shops and attending parties.

The central aim of Aussie Blind Kids Network is to maximise the age appropriate participation of children and teenagers who are blind or vision impaired in the community.

Age Appropriate Participation for a child 0 - 5 years who is blind or vision impaired means having the competencies, confidence and support to do the sorts of things that their sighted peers are doing at a similar age eg. a four year old attending playgroup or preschool, going to birthday parties and learning to his/her teeth.

How will my child who is blind or vision impaired achieve this?

Age Appropriate Participation is achieved by:

• your child learning specific skills and strategies (Lifeskills - see below) and having opportunities on a daily basis to practise these skills within the routines of home and the community (Environmental Literacy - see below).
• your family having realistic expectations of your child and their vision impairment (Family - see below)

We have provided profiles of children and their families that will help to highlight the importance and connection between Age Appropriate Participation, Environmental Literacy, Lifeskills and Family.

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