INTRODUCTION FOR TEACHER:
Touch, also called tactition or mechanoreception, is a perception resulting from activation of neural receptors, generally in the skin including hair follicles, but also in the tongue, throat, and mucosa. A variety of pressure receptors respond to variations in pressure (firm, brushing, sustained, etc.). The touch sense of itching caused by insect bites or allergies involves special itch-specific neurons in the skin and spinal cord. The loss or impairment of the ability to feel anything touched is called tactile anesthesia. Paresthesia is a sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin that may result from nerve damage and may be permanent or temporary.
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN:
- VOCABULARY
smooth, even, rough, hot, cold, sensation, to feel, hands, texture, wrinkled, sharp, wet, dry, to touch
- ACTIVITIES
Language: Define the sense of touch for the children. Ask the children what part of the body they use to feel things. Talk about skin and how it is used to feel different things. Also talk about hands and how everyone's hand is different.
Chalk and Wet Paper
Materials: Paper, Wet Sponge, and Chalk
Procedure:
1. Each child should wet paper slightly with wrung out sponge.
2. Draw freely with colored chalk. Show the children how to use side and ends of chalk.
3. Allow paper to dry.
Materials: Paper, Wet Sponge, and Chalk
Procedure:
1. Each child should wet paper slightly with wrung out sponge.
2. Draw freely with colored chalk. Show the children how to use side and ends of chalk.
3. Allow paper to dry.
Egg Weigh
Collect some eggs (for example, from pantyhose or plastic Easter eggs) and place inside them items, such as pebbles, spool of thread, paper clips, etc. Have children take turns placing the eggs in order from heavy to light. Extend this activity using more eggs or by having the children pair eggs that seem to weigh the same, and then, asking them what kind items could be inside.
Collect some eggs (for example, from pantyhose or plastic Easter eggs) and place inside them items, such as pebbles, spool of thread, paper clips, etc. Have children take turns placing the eggs in order from heavy to light. Extend this activity using more eggs or by having the children pair eggs that seem to weigh the same, and then, asking them what kind items could be inside.
Tactile Temperatures
Prepare a jar of ice water and a jar of warm water. Let children take turns touching the jars to see which is warm and which is cold. Children may close their eyes when touching the jars if they wish. This helps concentrate on using one sense.
Prepare a jar of ice water and a jar of warm water. Let children take turns touching the jars to see which is warm and which is cold. Children may close their eyes when touching the jars if they wish. This helps concentrate on using one sense.
Art: Make texture cards. Collect different samples of vinal wallpaper, cotten, sandpaper, sticks, leaves, tounge depressors, etc. Have the children glue the items on different cards. They can use the cards for sorting.(learning vocabulary)
