Textures: Feely Box
An old standby.
Low-cost materials, little preparation and clean-up, and allows for limitless
variations.
Objectives
Children ages 4-5 can describe object while naming them, using 3
descriptors such as color, shape, size, and texture Lang. IIIA
Children ages 3-4 years can when asked, describe texture, shape, weight, or
color of an object Cog. I
Children 2½-3 years can give use of an object by naming or gesturing Cog. I
Children ages 1-1 ½ years can identify a common object by pointing or
vocalizing Lang. IB
All children participating will be able to identify objects by touch alone.
Materials
Feely Box: a box with
face drawn on front. Cut mouth hole large enough for hand to fit inside.
Familiar objects such as fork, a small sponge, a large button, clothes pin,
large safety pin, spool of thread, string, key, rock, etc. Written list of
those objects.
Procedures
1. Show the children the box and explain, “I made a box for us
to play with! Its called Feely Box and I have some special things to put
inside.” Have children feel and repeat the name of each object before it is put
into the box. Demonstrate this activity by picking up the object, naming it,
describing how it feels and its several uses. Then place it in the box.
2. Taking turns, have each child choose an object to talk about. Encourage as
many responses and as much detail as possible. “Tell me about it.” Prompt if
necessary. “What color is it? How does it feel? What shape is it? What can you
tell me about its weight? Size? What is it made of? What can you do with it?”
After each object is described, have it put into the box.
3. “Now everything is inside. Put your hand through the hole and find something
but don’t take it out. Feel it carefully. What is it? Tell me what it is and
then you may take it out.” Some children may need to use two hands; one to hold
on and one to feel.
4. Replace objects in the box. Using list, call for an item and have child feel
inside the box. “Don’t take anything else out except the _________. When you
find the______, take it out and show us." If the identification is correct, the
child keeps the object. If incorrect, the object is put back into the box and
called again for later. Variations 1.
Use themes for
selection of objects, e.g. plastic fruit, kitchen objects, shapes for math
game. 2.
Opposites: pair
of objects place in box. “Rind the one that is rough/smooth, big/little,
scratchy/slippery, heavy/light, etc. 3.
Put one object in
at a time, or ask children to take turns choosing objects to put in box. Have
children be “teacher.”
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