Tactile and sensory

Some people are more sensitive to touch than others.

Working with a variety of textiles enables exploration and noticing.

• shiny paper

• coarse hessian

• tissue paper

• foil

Paint will often glide across the paper.

Chalk will stick to our hands.

Wax can be scraped.

Oil pastels can be dragged and pushed.

Each material can evoke a different sensation and require a different amount of energy.

For example spreading oil pastel across the page can be a good outlet for tension and angry energy.

Let your imagination and creativity lead the way for great sensory exploration

Make mixtures to play with:

• cornflour and water

• clay and water

• mud

• ice in water.

• warm soapy water

• wallpaper paste

• finger paint

Things to be cautious of:

• Allergies and eczema especially with soaps

• Cultural respect of some products

• Ethical respect about using food products

• Because lips and mouth are very sensitive to touch children will often want to explore textures with their mouths

The benefits of clay are that you get to experience the whole wonderful tactile sensory process and you end up with something to keep.

I made this bowl as a container for my hopes and dreams. Mostly I now use it to catch the burnt incense as it falls from the stick.

Making containers to collect affirmations is a nice class activity.