Skill: Tactile Perception

Tactile Perception (sometimes referred to as touch perception) is the brain’s ability to understand (perceive) what the hands are feeling.

The Foil Pancake Button Press

The Foil Pancake Button Press

Steps:

  • Tear off a large sheet of aluminum foil using both of your hands.
  • Encourage your toddler to crumple the foil into a flat, thick pancake shape.
  • Place the foil pancake inside the aluminum foil pan or onto a piece of cardboard for stability.
  • Give your child a handful of colorful buttons from your collection.
  • Ask them to use their pointer finger and thumb to pick up one button at a time.
  • Challenge your toddler to press each button firmly into the surface of the foil pancake.
  • Watch as the foil wraps slightly around the edges to hold the buttons in place!

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: Buttons are small and pose a risk. Always supervise your child closely during this activity. Ensure all buttons are put away safely once you are finished playing.

The Wet Tissue Mosaic

The Wet Tissue Mosaic

Steps:

  • Help your child tear tissue paper into small bits.
  • Fill the squirt bottle with a little water.
  • Let your child spray the dry erase board.
  • Ask them to press the paper bits onto the wet board.
  • Watch as the paper stays in place!
  • Try to cover the whole board with different colors.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses small pieces of paper. Always supervise your child. Ensure they do not put paper in their mouth.

The Tape Rescue Mission

The Tape Rescue Mission

Steps:

  • Cut several small strips of masking tape.
  • Press one strip gently onto your child’s knee.
  • Ask your child to find the tape on their body.
  • Encourage them to peel the tape off using their fingers.
  • Try placing tape on their elbow, foot, or hand next.
  • Cheer for them as they name each body part!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity involves masking tape which can be torn into small pieces. Always supervise your child to ensure they do not put tape in their mouth.

Crumpled Leaf Twig Tree

Crumpled Leaf Twig Tree

Steps:

  • Stand your branch inside the container using a large lump of playdough.
  • Encourage your child to tear strips of tissue paper with both hands.
  • Ask them to crumple the paper into small balls using only their fingertips.
  • Have your child pick up a clothespin and squeeze it open.
  • They must trap a tissue paper leaf inside the clothespin.
  • Challenge them to clip the leaf onto a twig on the branch.
  • Continue until the branch is full of colorful tissue paper leaves!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Small pieces of tissue paper and playdough can be a choking hazard. Watch for sharp twigs on the branches.

The Sticky Plate Step

The Sticky Plate Step

Steps:

  • Place six paper plates in a line on a smooth floor.
  • Use masking tape to secure the plates to the floor so they do not move.
  • Put several loops of masking tape on top of each plate with the sticky side facing up.
  • Ask your child to take off their shoes and socks.
  • Have them walk slowly across the plates, feeling their feet stick to the tape.
  • Encourage them to lift their knees high to pull their feet away from the sticky surface!

Safety Tip:
Choking Hazard. This activity uses masking tape which can be torn into small pieces. Always supervise your child closely. Ensure the plates are taped down firmly to prevent slipping.