Introduction of Simple Shapes in Early Childhood Low Vision Children through a Multisensory Approach

This study aims to examine changes in basic geometric shape recognition among children with low vision following the implementation of the Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, and Tactile (VAKT) multisensory approach. A quantitative single-subject research (SSR) method with an A-B-A design was employed, involving one eight-year-old child with low vision and developmental delays at PAUDIT BIS Balikpapan, Indonesia. Data were collected across four initial baseline sessions (A1), five intervention sessions (B), and five post-intervention baseline sessions (A2). Shape recognition was assessed through six indicators covering the ability to identify circles, triangles, squares, and rectangles, name shapes, and match geometric shapes with concrete objects. Data were analyzed descriptively using visual analysis of performance levels, trends, stability, and overlapping data. The findings revealed an increase in mean performance from 33.33% during A1 to 80% during the intervention, with a peak achievement of 83.33%. Performance subsequently stabilized at 66.67% during A2, indicating partial retention after the intervention was discontinued. The absence of overlapping data between A1 and B demonstrated a substantial performance difference across phases. These findings suggest that integrating residual vision with auditory instructions, kinesthetic movements, and tactile exploration may support geometric shape recognition in children with low vision. However, the single-subject design limits causal inference and generalizability, highlighting the importance of continued reinforcement and further investigation.