The Eyes-Closed Camera

One child is the camera and walks with eyes closed, led by the hand by a photographer, who taps their shoulder so they open their eyes for a moment and “take a picture” of something nice in the yard. It builds trust, orientation, and visual memory.

How to play

1. The teacher demonstrates with a child: the camera closes their eyes, the photographer leads them by the hand, stops in front of something, and taps their shoulder twice: “Click!” The camera opens their eyes and closes them again (2 min).
2. In pairs, eyes open first: the photographer leads the camera by the hand and shows them three things in the yard (2 min).
3. The camera closes their eyes and the photographer slowly guides them to three “pictures”; at each one, tap on the shoulder and click! (3 min).
4. The camera opens their eyes and tells about or points to their three pictures; then they switch roles (3 min).
5. Switch partners: the photographer picks trickier pictures (a leaf, a window, a color) and the camera finds them afterward (3 min).
6. Photo show: in a circle, a few children describe their favorite picture (1 min).

Rules

• The photographer never lets go of the camera's hand.
• We walk very slowly.
• The camera can open their eyes if they get scared.
• Pictures happen only with two taps on the shoulder.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: the picture is taken by touch (a tree trunk, a railing) and then described.
• Autism: the child can look at the ground instead of closing their eyes and start as the photographer.
• Limited mobility: use flat areas and the photographer pushes the wheelchair or walks alongside.

Learning goals

• Let themselves be guided with eyes closed, with trust.
• Guide a classmate safely.
• Remember images seen for an instant.

Teacher tip

Mark off the walking area and remove low obstacles. The key is that photographers go slowly: model a slow voice, “Step… step… click.”

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