Tactile Experience Books
What is an Experience Book?
Photo courtesy of Mary Ann Demchak
What should the book be about?
An experience book can be on any topic that is interesting and meaningful to the child. It could be about a special event, such as a birthday party or trip to a restaurant, or it could be about something that occurs regularly in the child's school day, such as cooking class or gym. Books can also be made about routines at home, such as bath time.
How do I make an experience book?
1. Select a topic.
2. Once a topic has been selected, collect artifacts during an activity. This can be naturally occurring, such as during a visit to a restaurant, save a straw to recall the milkshake, a coin similar to the one used to pay, etc. Another approach is to collect items with the specific purpose of creating a book, such as a book about "The Playground" in which a piece of bark from a tree, blade of grass, etc. are gathered and brought back to the classroom.
Be sure that the objects chosen are meaningful to the student! They should be items that the student has manipulated as part of the actual experience, rather than miniatures or symbols that may not have meaning to the child.
3. Use sturdy cardboard or any backing that will be strong enough to hold the items. Small bags or boxes can also be used.
4. Attach the items to the backing using glue or any adhesive, or place them inside a baggie or tub.
5. Use metal rings in a three-ring binder, if creating a book, or any other format that allows the student to be as independent as possible.
6. Have the student tell about the experience and include this narration (with help, as needed) in print and braille on each page.
7. Keep the book where the student can find it independently. Encourage him or her to share it with classmates or to take it home to share with family members.
Where can I get more information about tactile experience books?
See also Language Experience Books and Object Books
To learn more about Experience Stories see Experience Books from Washington Sensory Disabilities Services. This site includes videos, FAQ, and suggestions on how to make experience books.
Experience Stories for Functionally Blind Pre-readers by Millie Smith (TSBVI) explains the steps in creating an experience story.
Creating and Using Tactile Experience Books for Young Children With Visual Impairments
By Sandra Lewis, Associate Professor and Coordinator, Program in Visual Impairment, College of Education, Florida State University, and Joan Tolla, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Tift and Irwin County Schools, Georgia.
Reprinted in SEE/HEAR, by Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired from Teaching Exceptional Children, vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 22-28, Jan/Feb 2003, with permission from the Council for Exceptional Children, www.cec.sped.org.
This article begins by exploring the literacy needs of children with visual impairments, and describes the steps in creating a tactile experience book. It includes numerous examples of specific tactile experience books, and discusses benefits and cautions using this type of book.
Teaching Emergent Literacy Skills To Kindergarten Students in a Braille/Print Program
Presented by Duncan McGregor, Ed.D. & Carol Farrenkopf, Ed.D. at the AER 2002 International Conference, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
This article includes general strategies for building the foundation for literacy, as well as suggestions for creating books.
