Learning a new language so late in the game can definitely be tricky, but sometimes it’s an important skill to learn. Maybe you have a blind child that needs to learn braille or a friend you want to be able to communicate with. Whatever the case, here are some tips to learn braille with ease.
We are not going to lie — braille can be difficult to grasp at first. It’s like a totally new language. Luckily there are ways to get started from reading braille tactile signs in public places to studying at home.
The first step is to get a braille instruction book. A lot of these books will come with exercises that can help you put what you’ve learned into practice. Order some things like a braille tablet mat, magnetic braille letters, and more to further get a literal feel for the language.
You can also take courses! There are free courses available for parents of blind children. You can take these courses at a school for the blind near you or take them online. You will receive a lot of material that will help you follow along in class. There are also self-led courses you can try at sites like Braille Through Remote Learning.
Once you get a feel for some basic words, you can get a braille label maker. Start labeling everything with braille tactile signs so you can be reminded how each item or room’s word feels throughout the day. For example, put a braille label outside the bathroom with the word “bathroom” on it, but also label some of the things within your bathroom like the toilet, mirror, and light switch to further your vocabulary during everyday experiences. Do the same thing to your bedroom, kitchen, and living room.
Purchase some children’s books and other beginner books online to start reading. You can also get a dictionary and flash cards at the Braille Bookstore. This will help you start to form full sentences.
Another interesting way to learn braille faster is to get a braille writer. These are a bit more expensive than the previous techniques but you may be able to find one at a local library or school. Once you have a writer, start journaling in braille. Write about your everyday life and thoughts. Keep a dream journal. Anything that will keep you consistently using it daily! These can also be shared with your child as they learn to read, making it an even more special experience.
You can check your braille with a print-braille translation program. These are even pricier but they’re very useful if you are learning braille on your own. They will check your sentences so you can make sure you’re writing accurately. There are some programs with free demos.
If you want extra support, check to see if your state has a Library for the Blind. These libraries specialize in audio books for you and your children. These libraries also have print-braille books so you can practice by reading children’s books to your babies or even buying young adult and fiction books once you have a better grasp on the language. There are also free braille book clubs you can register with, like the Children’s Braille Book Club and Seedlings. This will give you even more opportunities to read a wide variety of books written in braille.
When you don’t have time to read a book, consider reading newspapers, newsletters, and other small blurbs in braille. You can get braille letters in the mail through a pen pal program or receive correspondence with various braille programs.
Whenever you’re in a public place, make sure to check out all the braille tactile signs. You’ll find them outside of bathrooms, stairwells, and permanent rooms. This will keep you practicing even when you’re out and about. You’ll also get more used to the idea of using braille in public and understand where to find the signs to better help guide your children and friends.
