Tactile Toys for Sensory Defensiveness and Tactile Stimulation

This article provides helpful tips for purchasing tactile toys to improve sensory defensiveness. Affiliate links are included for your convenience. Integrated Learning Strategies (ILS) is a learning and academic center. As a reminder, ILS is not a health care provider and none of our materials or services provide a diagnosis or treatment of a specific condition or learning challenge you may see in your child or student. If you seek a diagnosis or treatment for your child or student, please contact a trained professional who can provide an evaluation of the child.

Providing your child with tactile toys for Sensory integration to awaken their sensory receptors can decrease fidgeting, attention issues and behaviour problems in the classroom. If a child has not had enough sensory integration when it comes to their tactile system, they either seek tactile experiences or they become more sensitive to them as they grow older

Tactile stimulation, or lack thereof, can cause a number of problems in the classroom. You may find kids fidgeting at their desk and having trouble listening to the teacher. No matter if a child is a sensory seeker or dislikes tactile stimulation, the child cannot physically calm their body and their brain for higher learning.

Tactile Defensiveness

Kids who are hypersensitive to textures or who have tactile defensiveness don’t like the feeling of tight clothes around their waist, tags in their clothes or taking off their shoes. They may also struggle with temperature changes and dislike hugs or any physical contact with friends and family.

Sensory Seekers

Children who are sensory seekers often experience the opposite needs from kids who are hypersensitive. Sensory seekers need more tactile experiences to calm down and crave tactile stimulation. These types of kids may have the need to touch everything, chew and taste extreme flavours, and enjoy rough play.

No matter which side the child is on, tactile stimulation is important for helping kids regulate their emotions, behaviour and attention and focus in the classroom. Without this type of stimulation, kids may have a harder time concentrating or may be prone to meltdowns and behavioural problems.

For better sensory integration, you can introduce tactile toys to the child’s routine for calming and focus.

Tactile Toys for Sensory Integration

Some of our favourite tactile toys for building your child’s tactile system can improve underdeveloped sensory systems for better learning in the classroom. There are so many beneficial tools with tactile elements that kids can use for better learning at home and in school.