Child Development Make At Home Activity: Tactile Maps

Braille Institute Child Development Consultant, Liz, has a make at home activity for children who are visually impaired. Watch this video to find out how to make a 3-D map which helps children practice their orientation and mobility skills. Tactile Maps Materials: • Cardboard box • Scissors • Stapler (stairs) • Hot Glue Gun • Wikki Stix (can be used to make walls and any additional objects) • Sponge (sofa/chairs) • Items to represent furniture: Lids (tables) Buttons Foam stickers Yarn Directions: 1. Choose a room in your home to map. 2. Cut cardboard for map base. 3. Outline room in Wikki Stix or hot glue, leaving enough space on the sides for your child to hold the map. 4. Place items on map based on location. 5. Make sure landmarks are on map: large pieces of furniture, doorways etc. Stay close to your child during this activity to make sure they are safe. Give the map to your child and explain the location of represented items. Have them find their way to an object or show how they would get to it on the map. Take them around the room, trailing the walls with their fingers and physically feel the items that are represented on your map.