This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to learn about gentle touch, a skill they’ll need in a variety of situations.
Materials Needed:
- Feathers
- Grass
- Smooth stones
- Water in a pitcher
- Twig
Participants: This activity is intended for adult/child interaction.
Directions:
- Sit with your child on the ground or a rug. Gently brush your child’s arm with the feather (if your child is comfortable with being touched).
- Try brushing your child’s arm with the other objects. Do they prefer one material to another? What is their reaction? Make this a comfortable, cozy, and even silly experience as your child explores these new sensations.
- Let your child brush your arm or try other materials. Compliment your child for brushing your arm gently. Use this experience to help your child understand how to gently touch pets, babies, or fragile items. “Remember when we played with the feather and you touched my arm so gently? We can pet the puppy gently too.”
