This blog post gives step-by-step instructions to make “squishy bags”, for a wonderful multi-sensory early literacy activity. They can be made with any color and anything inside, and are a great way to encourage tactile exploration. Place them on a light box and children can touch and manipulate them. Work on developing hand and finger strength, finger isolation, eye-hand coordination, and bi-manual coordination.
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.
- Gallon size Ziploc bag
- glitter (optional)
- food coloring
- hair gel (dollar store)
- Invite the child to help squeeze hair gel into the baggie.
- Add food coloring
- Close bag securely!
- Place on light box and turn off overhead lights.
- Bag can be taped to lightbox, if necessary.
- Other small objects or textures may be added inside the bag, if desired.
http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2011/07/squishy-bag-tactilemultisensory.html
