Sensory/Activity Quilts
Years ago, when I was living in Mexico, my very talented daughter-in-law (Martha) and I started making learning items for her two babies – at the time. One item was a sensory/activity quilt.
Each square was from material that not only had colour but also texture. Some textures to look for are smooth (like raincoat material), knobby, soft, rough, fuzzy, and others that you can find.
On each square, put an activity that the child can eventually learn how to do. For instance, laces (as for shoes), large snaps, velcro, zippers, buttons with holes, an easy buckle, and many other interesting items.
Other sensory items can be used such as small coloured hair elastics that they can pull (exercising little fingers), or items that can be chewed (actually, that will be all of them so keep that in mind when you choose something), bells or other noisy items.
Also, place items underneath another so that the child learns
to look for things not readily seen – builds their inquisitive
nature – as if they need help with this!
The quilt on the right is just a crude example of what
can be done using colours, textures, and objects to
enhance the inquisitiveness and learning of a child.
The ideas are endless so have fun designing!
Pam