Tactile Learning: Creating the Braille Alphabet with Kids

Wikki Stix Created Braille Alphabet

Materials needed:

• Any colors of Wikki Stix
• Scissors
• Additional Paper

Discuss the Braille Alphabet with kids.  Explain how children without the sense of sight read letters and words using their fingertips to locate patterns of raised dots.  See if the children can locate letters of their name or letters of words they are familiar with on the printable Braille Alphabet chart.

The Braille Alphabet letters are created with raised dots that form a unique pattern.  There are two columns and three rows potentially containing one dot in that position.  Each letter of the Braille Alphabet has a dot in a specific position within the rows and/or columns.

Wikki Stix can be used to create letters of the Braille Alphabet, Names, or words kids know.

Wikki Stix Created Braille Names

Directions:

• Set out the Braille Alphabet Chart, assorted colors of Wikki Stix, plain paper, and scissors on a large tray or on a table as an invitation for the kids to create.
• Using Wikki Stix, have the kids create each letter in their own name on a plain sheet of paper.
• Kids can then look to find each letter of their name on the printable Braille Alphabet Chart.
• Wikki Stix should be cut into small pieces with scissors and formed into small balls. The Wikki Stix created “dots” are then used to create Braille letters that correspond to the letters in each child’s name.
• Be sure to remind kids to look for proper placement as they press the created Wikki Stix dots on the paper.
• Have the kids close their eyes and run their fingertips over each of the created letters. Remind kids that their non-seeing peers learn to read with their fingertips by recognizing the patterns of dots that make up each letter.

Wikki Stix Created CVC Words or Sight Words

Directions:

• Invite kids to use Wikki Stix to create other words they know. Suggestions might include sight words, CVC words, phrases, or the names of friends and family members.
• Use Wikki Stix created “dots” to enhance tactile learning of Braille letters.

Exploring the Braille Alphabet with Wikki Stix provides the tactile sensory layer that enhances learning for kids and provides an awareness of the world around them.