SENSORY SYSTEMS: TACTILE
This is our sense of touch. It is our largest sensory system and it plays
a vital role in human behavior, both physical and mental. Tactile information goes just about everywhere
in the brain. It’s connections to the
limbic system make it very important for bonding and developing relationships
with others. Children who are hyperresponsive to touch may be very picky about
clothing, food, being touched by others, and getting dirty. Children who are
hyporesponsive may seek out excessive touch and have a high pain
threshold. Offering a variety of tactile
activities is very important for all children.
Good tactile activities include making letters/shapes out of cooked
spaghetti, playing in bins with a variety of textures like sand/rice/beans/birdseed,
playing in shaving cream, and playing with playdough. Also include your child in cooking,
especially when they can mix food with their hands such as cookie dough,
meatloaf, and rubbing oil on vegetables.
Do not force touch if your child is fearful of it. Let them watch you first and gradually
introduce the idea/activity. Deep
pressure into the hands prior to the tactile activities (wheelbarrow walking
and animal walks) can be helpful.
