- Children, with the exception of those with tactile defensiveness, love messy play using materials such as soft modelling clay (Play-Doh) and foam or shaving cream. Vary the texture of modelling clay by using by using some commercial brands and by making your own, including a salt dough with a rougher texture. Other ideas for messy play include water, finger paint, dried beans and rice. A sandbox is a childhood favorite, and you can hide objects in the sand that your child can find by touch.
- Crawling tunnels and tents, even those homemade under the kitchen table, can provide tactile experiences. Add a variety of objects of various textures to the floor, such as pillows, dense foam, velour, burlap, a 12-inch-by-12-inch piece of hardwood flooring and a lamb's wool pad. Place carpet squares of different styles, such as shag, plush or berber, for your child to crawl on and feel the textures on her hands and knees.
- Make a "Feelie Box" using a cardboard box with a hole large enough for your child to put his hand inside. Place an object inside and have your child feel it and try to identify it. Replace the objects regularly. Encourage your child to use tactile words, such as soft or hard, to describe each object. Provide other tactile experiences such as touching bubble bath bubbles, holding and stretching the "strings" on a Koosh ball and walking barefoot in the grass, on sand or through a puddle.
- Introduce activities in a less threatening way to children with tactile defensiveness. Tell your child what you are going to do ahead of time. Never force them into a fearful situation. Children with tactile defensiveness often use only their fingertips and need to be patiently encouraged to use their entire hand. Let them use your hand to touch threatening objects. Help them put objects in and out of things such as modeling clay, shaving cream or sand. Slowly work toward fully experiencing the tactile activity.
previous post