Elaine Perks kindly agreed to review the Textures feely bag (GI30) with Connie, her two-year old daughter. Connie is registered blind and has the eye condition Albinism.
First impressions
It came in a plastic bag and it seemed very bright and colourful. It was nice to open the game together and explore the different textures.
Activities carried out
We explored them and we matched them in pairs, Connie put her hand inside the bag and she tried to find a matching one, she played with her older sister at fetching and retrieving the matching soft square and made a race out of it!
Conclusions
I think Connie enjoyed this game, but the bag could have done with being a little larger so that there was more room to feel for the matching textures.
It has been played with a few times, but it is not a very popular toy. It could be made even better use of with a guide to some games to play with this item.
As she gets older she may get more out of the toy than she currently does.
RNIB feedback
As Elaine mentioned, Connie may find this game more appealing when she is a little older. We do recommend that the toy is suitable for children aged 3+.
Some activity ideas would be:
Texture match
Place one set of the textures inside the bag and lay the others out in front of your child. Ask your child to pick one of the textures in front of them. Then ask him to put his hand into the bag to find the matching texture.
Colour match
Ask your child to pick out two textured squares that are the same colour i.e. two black squares (fur and netting).
Exploring similar textures
Lay out one of each texture infront of your child and ask her to find two rough textures (netting and Velcro), two smooth textures (silk and shiny plastic), two soft textures (fur and wool).
Everyday textures
Lay out one of each texture in front of your child and ask him to pick one. Discuss what everyday objects have this texture, i.e. the wool texture can lead to talking about sheep and clothes.
What is missing?
Layout some of the textures in front of your child and let her study and memorise them. Remove one of the textures and ask your child to identify which texture is missing.
Pairs
Lay out all the textured squares. Players take it in turn to feel for two squares with matching textures. If they find two matching squares they are removed from the game and put in the players "pot" and that player gets another turn. If they do not match two squares the squares they picked are returned and the next player has a go. The winer is the player with the most pairs in their "pot" at the end of the game.
Ordering
To order the Textures feely bag (GI30) or to view our full product range please visit the online shop or contact RNIB on 0303 123 9999 or email shop@rnib.org.uk