Multisensory/Tactile Tracer Bags

*FOR OLDER CHILDREN OR CHILDREN WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LETTER TRACING*

This is just another version of the SQUISHY BAG.  

Its another style that I made when I was teaching children with autism....and I wanted to share it.  The letter style is based on the developmental level and learning style of each individual child.  You can draw dotted lines with green and red dots - green means go, red means stop - to teach letter formation or just draw regular letters/numbers.  The dots always seemed very discombobulated to me, but some children really thrived with that style instruction.  

I used snack pack sized storage bags and used a Sharpie marker to write letters for tracing.

For more details, check out the original post from July 2011.

TIPS

• If you use bags with writing, use fingernail polish remover to remove the writing
• tape the bag to the table or light panel for easier use
• tape closed if you are concerned the child will open the bag
• tape to a window for children who are not developmentally ready for fine motor tracing - having the bag on the window requires more gross motor body movements

 

- AK (MESE, MECD)

Advanced Squishy Bag

This is a great activity for older children with better dexterity than a 2 year old.  My son helped me make it, but he didn't really play with it.  I have used it with students in the past and just wanted to share it with all of you.  

You don't need a light table for this activity - you can just add items to the bag that accomplish the goal you are looking to attain.  I used the light table - because its awesome!  LOL  Its pretty multisensory, and for one of my former students it was very calming - hence a great teaching tool for him.

You place objects in the bag and have the child push the matching objects together.  Here are some ways you can use it:

• matching (colors, letters, numbers, etc)


• color recognition


• upper case to lower case letters


• beginning sounds (seen here)

THINGS YOU NEED 

Clear Hair Gel

Quart size Ziploc bag

Objects

 I used translucent letters and shapes that have the corresponding beginning sound

 Hair Gel (dollar store)

 My 2 year old helped me make the bag.  

 Adding the objects to the bag

 Objects in bag and on light panel

 All matched up

-AK

(MESE, MECD)

Squishy Bag - A tactile/multisensory approach to pre-writing and writing skills

The more multisensory you make an activity, the more likely they are to retain the information.  I made these in my classroom when I was a teacher, as many of my students had sensory processing difficulties.  I would use duct tape to affix all sides to thick (cut) pieces of white poster board so I could whip them out any time I wanted to use them.

This is a great activity for practicing pre-writing skills such as "down", "over", "around", etc., shapes, and even more advanced writing skills - like letters.   In addition, it offers a great therapeutic/calming effect for some children and can be a sensory activity just for the sake of sensory.

AK

MESE, MECD

 Things you need - Gallon size Ziploc bag, glitter (optional), food coloring, hair gel (dollar store)

 Squeeze in the hair gel (the entire bottle)

 Add food coloring

 Add glitter

 Mix it all together, put it on a piece of white paper, and start writing.  Here my son is doing the "down" stroke.

 Here he is "making train tracks"

 Letter C  (no, my two year old did NOT write that - we just worked on strokes, but I wanted everyone to see a letter)

 Circle (YES, my two year old did do this circle. )

It was awesome on the light panel - here is my son's hand print.  I also taped it down to stabilize it.

 My hand print on the light panel

 More light panel pics

 He told me, "I did over over over over."  (Talking about the stroke).  LOL

Redneck Waterbed

My son loves jumping on the air bubbles that are caught under the sheets on my bed when he pulls them in the air and brings them back down quickly.  I have also been trying to think of something different to do with the tarp from my BUBBLE BOY post.  This is what I came up with......our redneck waterbed (and may I just say that I love rednecks and the title is in no way derogatory).  He had so much fun and it lasted for a good 45 minutes before it sprung a leak!  Who knew Duct Tape was so strong!!??  I would recommend reinforcing all the side with extra duct tape.  I was so excited about doing it that I didn't take the time to reinforce the sides and make it really strong.  It probably would have lasted longer had I done that.

Basically all I did was use the tarp from the Bubble Boy post and filled it with hose water and blue food coloring.  Its like a giant sensory mat/squishy bag/waterbed all in one.  I had intended on adding things to the water....like fish or balls, but we got so caught up in the fun that I totally forgot.

THIS WAS MADE WITH ONE TARP (10' X 25' - 3.5 mil)

**MAKE SURE YOU FILL IT ON A FLAT GROUND**

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watching the water pour in

touching the water as it splashes against the tarp

blue food coloring added....time to run

"Mommy, Im in water and I'm not getting wet."

Daddy had to check it out.

"I can see underwater."

:)

See how full it is?  It got even bigger but he got naked, of course, so there are no more pics.

- AK (MESE, MECD)