Tactile activities (1907)

Some children do not like to be touched.  This is called tactile defensiveness.  Tactile activities can help a child get used to being touched. The therapist will tell you which activities to do with your child.  Be sure to supervise young children when doing these activities.

What can I do to help my child?

Have your child:

• Play in shaving cream or with finger paint.
• Find objects in rice, sand or beans.
• Draw shapes or letters onto the outside of a plastic bag filled with gel-like material like pudding, finger paint or hair gel.
• Do arm and leg massages.
• Give deep pressure squeezes and bear hugs.
• Lay under a weighted or heavy blanket.
• Snuggle in bedding, large pillows, or stuffed animals. 
• Roll in the grass, carpet, or up and down carpeted ramps. 
• Go down a slide or water slide. 
• Go swimming.
• Jump and play in ball pit.
• Crawl through tight spaces. 

You can:

• Wrap your child with blankets, towels, clothes, Spandex, Benik or ace bandage. Do not cover your child’s head. 
• Gently rub your child with lotion.
• Sandwich your child between pillows, couch cushions, or bean bag chairs. Do not cover your child’s head. 
• Roll a therapy ball or bolster over your child while laying on back and stomach.