I show preschoolers what a cane does without a lot of technical explanation. Once a child can grasp and bang, it's a logical next step to give him a longer spoon. Most students, however, can understand and demonstrate the many uses of the long cane, even if their diagonal and touch skills are rudimentary. Low muscle tone can be associated with prematurity and low birth weight. Low tone isn't listed as one of the impairments that special education is supposed to address, but it is a serious secondary impairment, severely interfering with gait, speed, appearance, walking pattern and the ability to use cane techniques in the graceful and correct manner in which they were intended.
Low tone is a birth condition and is evident even at the toddler stage.
I have had some success using the NFB fiberglass cane with students who have low tone. The cane is light enough and is so well balanced that the students are able to manipulate it easier than the heavier aluminum canes. The preschool years provide the mobility specialist with the first set of training objectives for the long cane. Here are some suggestions. Experience the cane as a bumper, as a probe, and as an echo location device Experience using the cane in a wide variety of spatial layouts and environments Experience using the cane crossing streets while on walks with adults Consider the cane second nature, part of the wardrobe Return to the index page Return to the top of this page.