We continue our celebration of Black History Month by celebrating Dr. Patricia Bath, an inspiring woman who made a difference in American History.

Dr. Patricia Bath was the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology and the first African American female doctor to receive a medical patent! After discovering that blind black patients outnumbered white blind patients, she went on a quest. Researching and learning about lasers lead Dr. Bath to invent the Laserphaco Probe. She also co-founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.

We encourage your family to read the inspiring story of Dr. Patricia Bath. The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath by Julia Finley Mosca.
In honor of Dr. Patricia Bath, play the game I Spy and talk about the sense of sight.

 

 

 

I Spy With My Little Eye Game

In honor of Dr. Patricia Bath, your family can play the game I Spy with My Little Eye and talk about the sense of sight.

It’s a great game to play to boost a child’s concentration and to build listening skills. The best thing about the game is that it requires zero prep and can be played in five minutes, while preparing dinner, or even while driving in the car.

Instructions

1. Select someone to be “The Spy”.
2. “The Spy” should look around the area and identify an object within the view of other players. (Once an object is chosen and a clue given, it should not be changed until after it has been guessed.)
3. Once “The Spy” has chosen their object, they should say, “I spy with my little eye… ” and offer the first clue. For example, “I spy with my little eye… something blue.”
4. Other players should guess what “The Spy” spied with their little eye.
5. “The Spy” should respond to the guesses with either “yes” or “no”, as to whether the guess is correct.
6. You may let players ask “yes” or “no” questions, like, “Is it here in the living room?” or “Is it on my left?”
7. The player who guesses correctly is the next one to give clues as “The Spy” for a different object.

Discussion

Extend the Learning

• Extend the learning with discussions about Dr. Patricia Bath, her invention, and the importance of the sense of sight.

Share Information

• Dr. Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist, innovator, philanthropist, and scholar from the United States.
• She was widely recognized as the creator of laser cataract treatment and the first African American female physician to be granted a medical patent.
• Dr. Bath is the co-founder of the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.

Talk to Your Child

• Our sense of sight allows us to perceive shapes, distance, movement, color, and so much more.
• Some people need glasses or contact lenses to help them see well. Some people cannot see very much, or nothing at all. Do you think they could read a book?
• What if you did not have the sense of sight? Could your other senses give you the information about your surroundings that you need?