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Wearing the Pediatric Belt Cane
The Pediatric Belt Cane is designed to become part of your child's everyday life. Like shoes, glasses, or a favorite backpack, children learn the value of the Belt Cane through daily use during play, exploration, and family activities.
The goal is not perfect cane use on the first day. The goal is to help your child with a mobility visual impairment or blindness to discover that the Belt Cane provides useful information about the world around them. Each time the cane tips locate a toy, find a doorway, contact furniture enables the child to move through a new space with confidence.
The most successful outcomes are in children who wear their Pediatric Belt Cane during their daily activities and adventures. Be confident, have a plan, and be consistent. With time, experience, and encouragement, your MVI/B child will learn how to use extended touch feedback to explore, move, and participate more independently.
How Children Learn Through Extended Touch Feedback
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Charna age 2, blind walks wearing a Belt Cane in her home.
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Charna locates a toy with her Belt Cane.
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The toy rolls under a chair.
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Charna lowers down to the floor.
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Charna finds the toy with her foot, grasps and pulls to her lap.
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Charna plays with the toy independently.
1. Be Confident
Children take cues from adults. Present the Belt Cane as a normal part of everyday life.
4. Be Supportive
Teach child cane skills to find people, toys, furniture, and interesting places.
2. Have a Plan
Include the Belt Cane in familiar daily routines, play activities, and family adventures.
5. Make It Fun
Games, movement, exploration, and favorite activities create positive experiences.
3. Be Consistent
Short periods of use every day help children learn how to interpret tactile feedback.
6. Reach Out
Connect with Dr. Ambrose-Zaken for answers to your questions and more.
Adventure Ideas for Daily Use
Every Trip Counts
Mobility learning does not require special equipment, special rooms, or formal lessons.
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Walking to breakfast.
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Finding a favorite toy.
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Following a parent.
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Going outside.
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Helping with chores.
Every movement experience provides opportunities to learn from white cane feedback.
Watch Children Learning Through Daily Activities
The videos below show young children using the Pediatric Belt Cane during play, exploration, standing, and everyday routines.
Everyday adventures with dad
Charna explores a big city elevator and sidewalk.
Pulling to stand at physical therapy
Marcu learns to stand wearing his belt cane
Standing up from floor at physical therapy