This activity uses exploration and the sense of touch to create a sensory experience for infants and toddlers. During this activity, your child will feel several different textures and be introduced to words which describe what they are feeling.
Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Sensory and Art
MATERIALS
- Materials with different textures (foam, sandpaper, cotton balls, Velcro, lace, sponge, ribbon, burlap, velvet, fake fur, etc.)
LET'S PLAY
For infants, while they are sitting in your lap or laying on their tummies, take their hands and gently have them feel each of the objects. Describe how the object looks and how it feels as you are touching it. For example, “Let’s touch the cotton balls. They are very soft and round like balls.” You can also name the object and tell what purpose it is used for.
For toddlers, place all of the items in a bag and have them pull one out. Encourage your toddler to describe how it feels. For example, “This sandpaper is rough. Can you think of something else that feels rough or scratchy?”
TIPS
- If your child seems ready, you can try matching or grouping objects with similar textures together into pairs or piles. For example, help your child feel each object one at a time and match it to other soft items, hard items, scratchy items, etc.
- Crayon rubbings can also be made by placing some materials under a piece of paper and using the side of a crayon to make a rubbing.
- If you have a “Touch and Feel” book, use the book to compare textures. For example, “The bunny rabbit’s fur is soft in this book. This velvet ribbon is also soft.”