How to Teach Cooking to Students With Visual Impairments
Teaching cooking to students with visual impairments can seem challenging, but it can help them become more independent. Verbally describing all the steps of cooking can help students understand concepts they have never seen performed. Allowing students to use their senses of touch can also help them grasp cooking techniques. With consistent repetition and practice, you can effectively and safely teach cooking to students with visual impairments.
Instructions
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Describe each cooking process, such as measuring or stirring, in clear and simplified detail so visually impaired students can be introduced to basic cooking concepts . According to the Perkins School for the Blind, teachers should use simple language and break up each step as concretely as possible.
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Allow each students to touch ingredients and utensils before, during and after each step in the cooking process so they can physically grasp cooking concepts. For example, let students feel flour, sugar, butter and eggs separately before combining to make dough and then have them use their hands to feel the dough.
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Label kitchen cabinets, shelves and appliances with Braille or large print descriptions. This can help students learn how to become independent by gathering supplies and navigating the kitchen on their own.
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Instruct students to place all necessary equipment and ingredients on trays, putting each item behind the tray as it gets used. According to the Perkins School for the Blind, this can help students stay on-task by not getting distracted by items in their cooking spaces.
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Have students touch your hands as you perform tasks, such as slicing or chopping. They can safely learn the physical motions before trying the tasks themselves.
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Describe ways of using other senses besides sight to detect when food is done. For example, students with visual impairments can use a fork to check for firm consistency of meat that is done cooking.
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Write down specific cooking tasks, such as washing vegetables, mixing ingredients or placing food in the oven, and supervise as each student tries to implement the techniques on their own. Keep track of their progress in a log so you can evaluate what methods they need additional help with.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a tray under mixing bowls if you are concerned about spills.
Do not allow visually impaired children to operate the stove without supervision.
