Sensorial Activities

The function of these materials is to isolate for the child the properties of things, and help him to refine and organize in his mind what he is absorbing through his senses.  The main purpose of these activities is to give order to impressions already received.  There are four stages of interaction with the sensorial materials; the introduction, manipulation, repetition and creative variation.

 

 

Mystery Bag 

Use familiar objects (in the classroom) like a spoon, a cotton ball, a brush, sponge, etc.  This should be done in a group of 4 or 5.  Note: have more items than children

Lay the objects out.  Hold up one object, feel it and say its name.  Then let one child simulate what you just did.  Now place it into the mystery bag.  Do each object his way until all the objects are in the bag.  Without looking , put your hand in the bag, grasp an object and, before withdrawing it, say its name.  Take out your hand and check to see if your right.  Now, give each child a turn.

Variations:   

-Use objects of different materials stressing the name of the material rather than the name of the object. (wood, plastic, metal, etc).

-At Christmas time, use a stocking and small Christmas ornaments.

-Use two bags and have a matching set of objects in the second bag.  One child pulls out an object and the other tries to find the same object in the other bag.

 

Fabric Basket - to teach tactile matching

Supplies:  different textured scraps of material, in two colors for each texture (corduroy, cotton, felt, burlap, suede, velvet, satin, fur, lace, etc), three medium baskets, tray for baskets to fit in.

Cut the scraps of material into 5 X 5 pieces (or size to fit your basket).  You may want to use pinking shears to cut the fabric to reduce fraying.  Hem edges if desired. 

Have basket arranged on the tray, with one color on each side and the empty basket in the middle.  Have two pairs that are obviously contrasting.  Take one piece from each basket.  Feel and match.  Place the matched pairs in the middle basket.  When the activity is completed, place all the fabrics in their original baskets.

Variations:

-Name and texture of fabrics may be taught.

-Use a blind fold.

-Have the child match some of the fabrics to articles of clothing.

 

More to come!

 

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