Free Resources For Kids

Confusing Alphabets Alphabets that look almost the same can be confusing to preschoolers who are just beginning to recognise them. For example, almost all preschoolers mix up their "b"s and "d"s, "p"s and "q"s as well as "u"s and "v"s when they first start reading and writing. Arresting this issue from the very beginning can help solve the problem faster as well as build confidence in the budding reader or writer. Numerous ways have been suggested to help the child overcome this issue. It has been noted that spacing out the introduction of similar alphabets helps to significantly reduce any confusion about the form and shape of alphabets. For example, if "b" is introduced in week 1, the child should be given time to familiarise himself with the shape, sound and common words that begin with "b". This would help the child build an association with the letter, without any interference from other s...

SIGN LANGUAGE Sign language began in France in the 16th century. There are hundreds of sign language dialects in use around the world. Each culture has developed its own form of sign language to be compatible with the language spoken in that country. Hearing impaired people around the world communicate using sign language as distinct from spoken language in their everyday lives. Sign language is a visual language. Forms of sign languages consist of sequences of movements and configurations of the hands and arms, face and upper torso.  However, sign language is not a universal language. Different sign languages are used in different countries, just as different spoken languages are being used in different countries. When hearing impaired people communicate with other hearing impaired people from different nations they often use International Sign (IS). Sign languages in most countries and communities are not written languages but just meant as a spoken language. ...

BRAILLE Braille is an essential tool that enables visually impaired people to read and write through touch. Braille is a system that was created in 1821 by a French schoolboy Louis Braille. It consists of raised dots arranged in "cells". A cell is made up of six dots that fit under the fingertips, arranged in two columns of three dots each. Each cell represents a letter, a word, a combination of letters, a numeral or a punctuation mark. People read Braille by moving their fingertips from left to right across the lines of dots. The slate and stylus are the tools used to write Braille. A card-stock paper is inserted into the slate, and the stylus is used to punch holes in the paper. The holes that are punched are the raised dots that will be read by touch. Slate and stylus While tape recorders and talking computers are handy and important sources of information for visually impaired people, only Braille allows for complete command of written language. There is a...