Tactile Baby Blankets

Tactile baby blankets and quilts are a wonderful way to encourage exploration.

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Tactile baby blankets or quilts are a wonderful way to encourage exploration among our youngest children who are blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities or deaf blindness. Presenting the child with a variety of tactile elements encourages exploration and promotes a baby's cognitive development. While tactile blankets may not seem to be related to literacy, they can help babies with visual impairments develop important motor skills, as well as an understanding of basic concepts which are at the foundation of literacy.

You can also use a tactile blanket to observe the textures and colors that interest your child. While it may take a while for your child to allow their hands, feet, or cheeks to touch the texture, all these opportunities develop interest, use of hands, tactual awareness, and cognition.

Design

Ideally blankets should be designed to suit the individual needs and interests of a specific child. Color preferences, which are especially important in children with cortical visual impairment (CVI), can be considered. Some children strongly prefer different types of textures or, conversely, are reluctant to touch certain textures.

While all items that are attached to a blanket should be very sturdy, care should also be taken with small items which may be a choking hazard.

Blankets can be a collaborative project, with help and input from all members of a child’s team – the family, EI-TVI, Early Intervention Specialist, Occupational Therapist and more.

Tips

• Blankets measure three feet by two feet. This is the size of an infant to lie on or hold on their lap.
• One side of the blanket should be a SOLID color. This provides good contrast for toys or other items placed on it.
• A variety of colors and textures should be added to the other side. This may include corduroy, velvet, flannel.
• Small, but sturdy items can be sewn onto the textured side, such as an empty spool of thread on a sturdy piece of string, a plastic scrubby, a pocket with something inside (like a small teddy bear).
• Materials that make sound can be attached, such as mylar crinkle paper, small bells, or other items of interest to the child.
• Materials may be donated or recycled. Fabric stores may be willing to donate scraps or old outfits that the child has outgrown can be repurposed.
  

Using the Blanket

• The blanket can be used with the baby in different positions, such as on the stomach or back, or sitting up.
• The baby's socks can be removed, to explore with feet and toes.
• As babies begin to explore, they realize that their hands can give them a lot of information.
  

Skills Addressed Through Tactile Blanket

• Tactile exploration
• Gross motor skills (e.g., rolling over, kicking, head control)
• Visual scanning
• Auditory localization
• Fine motor skills (e.g., raking, grasp and release, pincer grasp)
• Categorization and concept development (smooth, rough, scratchy, loud)
  

The important thing to remember is that there is no single right way to make a blanket. Think about what your child is interested in and what skills you are hoping to promote. Then use your imagination and put your creativity to work!

Adapted from "Tactile Baby Blankets" by Lisa Jacobs, Paths to Literacy