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SENSORY PROCESSING: THE TACTILE SYSTEM

April 8, 2014 By Claire Heffron 20 Comments

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sensory processing

We’re excited to be back again with our friend Dayna from Lemon Lime Adventures, for the third post in our series about sensory processing.  Today, we’re here to talk about the tactile system and why it’s such an important part of child development.  At The Inspired Treehouse, we write about sensory processing from our point of view as occupational therapists, using our training and experience to break information down into terms everyone can understand.  Dayna, an early childhood educator and a homeschooling mom of 3, including a little guy with Sensory Processing Disorder, writes about Sensory Processing Disorder and sensory activities for kids from a mom and teacher’s point of view.  Be sure to check out Dayna’s post about the tactile system.

WHAT DOES TACTILE MEAN?
The tactile sense is how we interpret the information we get from the receptors on our skin. When we encounter the feel of an object in our environment, our nervous system receives this information and helps us understand and differentiate pressure, texture, traction, and other tactile qualities of the object and lets us determine exactly what it is that we’re feeling.  Our tactile system also helps us to understand temperature and to feel pain. There is a relationship between touch and the emotional centers in the brain, helping us make decisions and remember details about tactile experiences that we find pleasurable and ones that aren’t so pleasurable.

The sensory processing tactile system is what lets a child reach way down into his toy box and pull out his favorite action figure without even looking.  It lets you know when the shower is warm enough (but not too hot) and helps you decide whether you prefer a calm bath or a strong shower. It’s how you know that you are touching something sharp, smooth, rough, or bumpy.  But touch receptors aren’t only in your hands – in fact, they’re all over your body!  It’s because of these receptors that you feel your foot hit the floor with every step or grab your favorite jeans or shirt because they feel good to wear.

A HEALTHY TACTILE SYSTEM
When the tactile sense is fully functioning, children are secure and organized enough in their bodies to be able to attend and respond to all of the other sensory information they encounter each day.  They don’t become distracted by the constant tactile input they are experiencing in any given moment (the way their shirt feels on their arms, the feeling of the breeze hitting their face) because they are able to filter out which tactile information is important and which isn’t so important.  A child with a well-developed tactile sense engages in play easily with his peers and explores toys during parallel and group play. He effortlessly participates in activities of daily living involving touch including bathing, brushing teeth, washing hands, dressing and tolerating clothing, and mealtime routines.  He shows curiosity by touching and interacting with his environment throughout his day in a controlled manner, not fearful of touching or being touched and also not preoccupied with touching everything around him.

PROBLEMS WITH TACTILE PROCESSING
Some children experience difficulty with processing the tactile information they encounter in everyday life.  They may be overly sensitive (hypersensitive) to tactile input, causing them to withdraw from or avoid certain tactile experiences.  To them, even the most simple touch experiences may be unpleasant or even painful.  Children who are hypersensitive to tactile input may avoid getting their hands or face messy, steering away from activities like fingerpainting, play dough, and even eating certain foods.  They may struggle with certain hygiene tasks, having extreme reactions or tantrums during toothbrushing, bathing, and haircuts. Tolerating certain types of clothing may be difficult.

Other children may have the opposite experience, seeking out more tactile input to give their bodies what they need. These children love to touch and be touched. They crave hugs, sit very closely to another person, and seek out different textures and touch experiences. They may “fiddle” with objects in their hands, rubbing them, turning them over and over, squeezing them. They may seem fearless, touching everything they see, even objects that might be dangerous.

SENSORY ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE TACTILE PROCESSING
Here are some ideas that provide opportunities for play and exploration using the tactile sense. If you have a child that is over or under-reactive to touch, please be sure to contact your physician or an occupational therapist that can offer support for your child’s individual needs. These activities are meant only as fun ways to incorporate the tactile sense into every day play, not as treatment for children with sensory processing issues.

1. Create sensory bins ! Fill up a large tupperware container with sand, peas, rice, pasta, water etc. Once the child has explored a little, try hiding objects in the bin and see how many the child can find.  Add a cup to practice scooping, dumping, pouring, and shaking. Have kids use their words to describe how the texture feels to them.  Soft, bumpy, shiny, great, yucky, etc.

2. Have a fashion show with your little one using clothing with varying textures  (e.g. hat, shirt, pants, gloves, flip flops, boots, tights, etc.) Try making it into a game. How much clothing can the child get on to her body in 1 minute? Can she race against a friend or sibling?

3. Go swimming! It’s the perfect activity for whole body tactile input!  Any kind of water play makes for a great tactile experience: in the bath, in the sink, or just a big bowl of water on the floor!  Add sponges, cups, a watering can, eye droppers, and medicine syringes for more fun and exploration!

4. Play with sensory rich toys such as play dough, clay, and finger paint. Remember, you can play with more than just your hands! Get the feet in on the action too or let kids paint their whole bodies before bath time.

5. Introduce toys with vibration such as a Squiggle Wiggle Writer, a vibrating pillow, or a vibrating stuffed animal.

6.  Make a touch and feel book with a different page for each texture.  See if you can find something around the house or outside (swatch of scrap fabric, craft paper, sticks, leaves) to glue onto the pages of your book as examples of smooth, rough, soft, hard, bumpy, etc.  Or check out some of our favorite touch and feel books: B is for Bear, Pat the Bunny, Eric Carle Touch-and-Feel Stroller Cards, Tails.

7. Above all, let kids get dirty! We know this can be hard, but stay strong and remember that allowing your children to explore and get dirty, whether with an indoor cooking activity or playing outside in the mud (or in the rain!) helps develop a strong and healthy tactile system!

Sensory Processing What is Tactile

Be sure to click on over to Lemon Lime Adventures to read more about the tactile system from a mom and teacher’s point of view!

Check out our favorite toys for providing fun tactile play experiences for kids!

sensory

Want to learn more about sensory processing?  Check out our book, Sensory Processing 101!

sensory processing 101

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Claire Heffron

Claire Heffron

Claire Heffron is co-author at The Inspired Treehouse and a pediatric occupational therapist in a preschool/primary school setting. She began her career with a bachelor's degree in magazine journalism but quickly changed course to pursue graduate studies in occupational therapy. She has been practicing therapy for 10 years in public and specialized preschool/primary school settings. She is a mom to three funny, noisy boys and relies on yoga, good food, and time outside to bring her back to center.
Claire Heffron

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Filed Under: Tricks of the Trade Tagged With: sensory integration

Comments

  1. Carla says

    April 8, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I cannot even tell you how much I am loving this series! I have a little sensory seeker and the ideas you guys have shared have been invaluable! Thank you so much and keep up the good work!! :)

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 9, 2014 at 11:22 pm

      Hi Carla, we are so excited to hear from you! We love our blog being able to reach families just like you! Thank you for letting us know and following us!

      Reply
  2. Robin says

    April 11, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    When do you know if it is truly a sensory issue or the child is just having control issues? For example developing an aversion to wearing socks just manifesting recently

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 12, 2014 at 12:47 pm

      Hi Robin, typically there is more than one reaction or behavior that you are seeing in a child for it to be a sensory processing concern. All children go through transistional stages, it is only if they remain does it become a concern. If you are seeing several concerns in your child and/or they do not continue to progress or change, then it may be time to consult your physician. Thanks so much for visiting us here at The Inspired Treehouse!

      Reply
  3. Penny says

    April 13, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    We have a 2.5 year old that hates tight clothes, messy play and hair washing but until I read this I had never heard of sensory processing! Thanks for this!

    Reply
    • admin says

      April 14, 2014 at 5:12 am

      Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Penny! We’re so glad this article was helpful to you. Many children encounter sensory processing problems at one time or another during development. Sometimes they are merely developmental stages, but other times these issues can continue as the child grows. It’s good to have the knowledge so you can keep an eye on your little one and get help from your pediatrician or a therapist if it is needed.

      Reply
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  5. Diana says

    January 20, 2016 at 4:36 pm

    I’m a bit late in finding this article, but glad to have come across it! I’ve got a little one with hyposensitivity, very tactile sensory seeking, but I struggle a little with what to do for sensory play. Thanks for the info and for the ideas! I’m sharing this on my blog’s FB page, Surprisingly Special :)

    Reply
  6. Virginia says

    December 14, 2017 at 1:56 pm

    Do you have any suggestions for tactical sensitive with teeth? I have a client who will go up to walls or the table and lay teeth against it for a second or two.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The Inspired Treehouse says:
    April 12, 2014 at 9:23 am

    […] recent post about the Tactile System described how we use touch to receive and interpret information from our environment.  This […]

    Reply
  2. The Inspired Treehouse says:
    April 23, 2014 at 7:02 am

    […] Sensory Processing: the Tactile System […]

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  3. The Inspired Treehouse says:
    May 18, 2014 at 7:01 am

    […] for little ones.  When they’re positioned on their tummies, babies get all kinds of great tactile and proprioceptive sensory input on their hands, trunks, and legs.  This kind of input gives […]

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  4. The Inspired Treehouse says:
    May 20, 2014 at 7:02 am

    […] There’s been a steady chorus of “Everything is Awesome” at my house ever since I took my boys to see the Lego Movie.  Seriously.  My kids are obsessed. And, if I’m really being honest – I’m kind of obsessed too!  I know most moms dread the thought of hours spent building Lego houses and vehicles, but for some reason I love it.  Maybe it’s because Lego time is the one time of day where everyone isn’t running and jumping and tackling each other.  Legos mean peace and quiet!  Plus, as an OT, I can’t think of many fine motor activities that measure up to picking up those miniature tires or pulling those tiny blocks apart!  This activity is the perfect for our Transportation theme while targeting fine motor skills and the tactile system! […]

    Reply
  5. The Inspired Treehouse says:
    May 23, 2014 at 7:01 am

    […] find an object and know exactly what that object is by just touching it is an amazing part of our Tactile System called stereognosis.  It’s almost like a power a superhero would have, isn’t it?  In this […]

    Reply
  6. Simple Sensory Play | Icy Sensory Bin - Lemon Lime Adventures says:
    June 2, 2014 at 7:17 am

    […] Input: Sensory Processing Explained  | Lemon Lime Adventures Sensory Processing: Tactile System  | The Inspired Treehouse Tactile Sensitivities with Sensory Processing Disorder | Golden […]

    Reply
  7. CHILD DEVELOPMENT: 5 AWESOME TOYS FOR TUMMY TIME! - The Inspired Treehouse says:
    August 11, 2014 at 7:14 am

    […] Time contributes to the development of healthy sensory processing by providing tactile and proprioceptive input.  Babies also get the benefits of looking and reaching for desired items […]

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  8. SENSORY PROCESSING: WHAT DOES ORAL SENSORY MEAN? - The Inspired Treehouse says:
    August 11, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    […] described how the ears, the skin, the eyes, and the muscles and joints channel information about kids’ surroundings to their […]

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  9. CHILD DEVELOPMENT: WHAT IS A FIDGET TOY? - The Inspired Treehouse says:
    August 13, 2014 at 7:01 am

    […] work to store his fidget stash securely! And remember, fidgets don’t have to be exclusively for tactile (touch) input! Think outside the box – provide oral input with chewing gum or quiet movement […]

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  10. CHILD DEVELOPMENT: TOE WALKING - The Inspired Treehouse says:
    August 17, 2014 at 9:36 pm

    […] find all kinds of information about why children might develop this pattern.  Are they exhibiting tactile defensiveness in their feet?  Is this a warning sign of a neurological disorder like cerebral palsy or muscular […]

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  11. A Beginner's Guide to the Tactile Sensory System - Melissa & Doug Blog says:
    February 17, 2015 at 6:32 am

    […] Input: Sensory Processing Explained ~ Lemon Lime Adventures Sensory Processing: Tactile System ~ The Inspired Treehouse Tactile Sensitivities with Sensory Processing Disorder ~ Golden Reflections […]

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