Helping your child feel comfortable through touch
🧠 What Is the Tactile System?
The tactile system is how our skin senses:
- 👆 Touch
- 💪 Pressure
- 🔥 Temperature
- 😣 Pain
It helps us:
- Know where we’re being touched
- Understand how something feels
- Identify objects without looking
🚩 Signs of Tactile Sensitivity
🔴 Tactile Defensiveness (Avoiding Touch)
- Bothered by clothing tags or seams
- Avoids messy play or certain food textures
- Dislikes light or unexpected touch
- Avoids close contact with others
🟢 Tactile Seeking (Craving Touch)
- Constantly touches everything
- Enjoys messy play and roughhousing
- High pain tolerance
⚪ Poor Tactile Discrimination
- Struggles with fine motor tasks (e.g., buttons, zippers)
- Difficulty using tools like pencils or utensils
🎯 Goals of Tactile Activities
- Reduce over-sensitivity to touch
- Increase comfort with different textures
- Improve awareness of the body and environment
💡 Helpful Hints
- ✅ Use firm touch (calming) instead of light touch (alerting)
- 👀 Approach from the front—no surprises
- 🧒 Let your child explore textures on their own
- 🧘 Deep pressure = calming and grounding
🎨 Tactile Activities to Try
🛁 Daily Routines
- Use a puff or exfoliating cloth at bath time
- Dry off with firm towel pressure
- Apply lotion like a massage
🧸 Deep Pressure Play
- Roll in blankets or over pillows
- Pillow fights or play wrestling
- Lay under soft cushions or bean bags
🧺 Sensory Bins
- Fill with beans, rice, pasta, or sand
- Hide toys inside for a treasure hunt
- Use a tent or sheet for easy cleanup
🎨 Messy Play
- Finger paint with shaving cream, pudding, or foam soap
- Drive toy cars through goo or slime
- Form cookies or play with dough
🧠 Tactile Games
- Guess objects in a bag using only touch
- Draw shapes or letters on the back of the hand
- Use vibrating toys or toothbrushes for sensory input
🧦 Obstacle Courses
- Walk or jump across different fabrics
- Add puzzles or tasks at each station
- Gradually increase spacing and complexity
🧼 Before Fine Motor Tasks
- Rub hands and arms with a towel or washcloth
- Squeeze playdough or stress balls
- Trace pictures with colored glue and tissue paper
🧠 Talk to Your Therapist
Always consult your child’s Occupational Therapist to choose the best activities and strategies for your child’s needs.