Language - Tuesday

Tuesday Textures

I was stumped last night trying to think of a language activity for today (yet another reason I need some volunteer guest bloggers ASAP). We sat down to dinner and I was excited to have Miss I try the Jell-O beans we'd made yesterday during one of our creative arts moments (I didn't post hat activity on the blog because it requires these rad, vintage jell-o trays, but if you can find some they are a party to make jell-o with). I thought she'd be ecstatic to try our jell-o creations.

That's what I get for thinking a toddler is predictable.

She picked up one Jell-O bean, dropped it. Informed me she HATED it and whimpered if anymore even got near her plate. When I asked her why she didn't want to try the Jell-o she responded with "I'm full." This is my toddler's code for: "There is no way in heck I'm gonna eat that." Pressing her a little more she finally started saying "yucky." Which, of course, I told her was ridiculous since she hadn't even tried to taste it yet.

Then it dawned on me - the texture of the jell-o was yucky to her. She defaulted to the word "yucky" because she didn't yet have the vocabulary for "slimy."

Thus, today's texture-vocabulary building activities were inspired. And our Hats Tipped to PreSchool Express.Com for their amazing assortment of texture activity ideas. Check out their page for lots more texture activities.

Receptive Vocabulary

PBS Skill Targeted:

 The average child has the capacity to acquire one or two words per day, given access to new words in his or her daily experiences.

***Multiple activities are listed to support this skill. Do one or two that suit your day and play or try them all! 

Activity:

Texture Match Up

Directions:

TEXTURE MATCH-UPS

	Cut 3” x 3” squares of fabric.
	Cut out three different colors of corduroy; velveteen, fake fur, wool, leather, etc.
	Mix up the squares.
	Have your children take turns sorting the fabrics by texture.

Activity:

Texture Hunt

Directions:

TEXTURE HUNT
This is a good game with one or two children.

	Go on a walk around your house or classroom and have your children touch various objects.
	Ask each child to describe the texture.
	Can they find two objects that feel the same.
	How many different kinds of textures can they find?

 

Activity:

 Guess the Object

Directions:

 GUESS THE OBJECT (BY TEXTURE)
This is also a good game with one or two children.

	Have a child close her eyes and try to tell what an object is by touching it to her arm.
	Take turns using different objects, such as; feathers, cotton balls, pencil, spoon, crayon, etc.

Activity:

Simple Texture Sorts

Directions:

Example of a texture sort bowl - sea shells = bumpy, marbles=smooth, Noodle=hard, Cotton balls = soft Paperclips = sharp etc.

  Let your children take turns playing this game.

Place 5 objects in a basket that have a rough finish.

Place 5 objects in the basket that have a smooth finish.

Set the basket on a table.

Mix up the objects and have the child make two piles of objects on the table, one rough and one smooth.

Variation: You can also play this game using soft and hard