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There are several options to use fabric
and paper textures to encourage children
to explore tactually.
• Cover otherwise non-tactually
discernable surfaces with the fabric
to encourage tactile exploration.
• Make same and different tactile games for the child. For example, two denim cards are
presented with a third patterned card. The child is asked to identify which cards are the
same and which one is different.
• Make a set of cards to match from two columns; mount the fabrics on solid cards made of
solid foam, plastic or wood.
Parents always ask about toys for their children who are blind or visually impaired. The
good news is a number of toys are readily available that are perfect for children who are blind
and are pre-braille learners. Below are examples:
Hungry Hippos: This game requires the child
to utilize a lever by pressing on it to make a
Hippo eat a marble. One does not need to see
the marbles to participate and, if the game is
placed on a hollow surface, the sound the
marbles make provides auditory feedback.
Using this lever to work the Hippo is similar
to the process of pushing on the keys of a
braille writer. By practicing this skill on the
Hungry Hippos Game, the child can work on
this fine motor skill in a fun way.
Many parents participating in Braille Babies
were concerned that their children were unable
to physically handle the process of pushing on
a brailler, so parents were encouraged to
introduce toys with similar concepts early on
in the child's life. Another example of this is
the toy pictured here that helps promote the
development and strength of the arms, wrist
and hand for pushing on the braillewriter.
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