Actions

Aerobic exercise
Tactile symbol for aerobic exercise is a heart shape on the triangle of felt or foam sheet.

Tactile symbols representing actions are made with triangle-shaped poster board covered with felt. The backing could be made with other material although in these examples none is used. The shape is the most important, but the backing can vary depending on what materials you have and what the child can tactually discriminate. 

Note: Some of the symbols represent a phrase such as “go to the toilet” or “do sit-ups”.

These symbols are the ones utilized at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, so they reflect that social environment. You may need to create symbols or adapt symbols specific to the environment of the student.

If you are starting from scratch with a symbol, try to pick something that will make sense to the student. As you look at the symbols you will see that some are based on visual information and some on possible tactile information.  It is important to consider the individual’s perspective when creating the symbol. These symbols are highly abstract so it is important to note his/her visual and tactile access when designing the symbol. A part or a piece of an object often works. By necessity, however,  some symbols have to be arbitrary, because there is no obvious item to place on the symbol. When that’s the case, the student will learn the meaning through repeated association.

Shape: triangle-shaped

Background: felt or foam sheet

Tactile Symbols Menu

Overview

Making Tactile Symbols

Actions

Animals

Emotions

Events

Food

Miscellaneous

Objects  

Numbers 

People

Places

Time

Ba-Bu

Tactile symbol for bake is five short vertical parallel lines of puff paint along the bottom of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for bake is five short vertical parallel lines of puff paint along the bottom of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for bathe is a sliver of bar soap in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for bathe is a sliver of bar soap in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for bowl is a rectangular strip of felt glued horizontally along the middle of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for bowl is a rectangular strip of felt glued horizontally along the middle of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for brave (v.) is 5 short pieces of cord: 1 horizontal at the bottom of the triangle and 4 vertical above it in a row.
Tactile symbol for brave (v.) is 5 short pieces of cord: 1 horizontal at the bottom of the triangle and 4 vertical above it in a row.
Tactile symbol for break is an oval cut in half by a jagged line on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for break is an oval cut in half by a jagged line on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for brush teeth is the head of a toothbrush glued vertically on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for brush teeth is the head of a toothbrush glued vertically on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for budget is a penny glued on top of three short pieces of pipe cleaner positioned horizontally on the felt strip.
Tactile symbol for budget is a penny glued on top of three short pieces of pipe cleaner positioned horizontally on the felt strip.
Tactile symbol for build is several small rectangles of balsa wood glued on top of each other in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for build is several small rectangles of balsa wood glued on top of each other in the center of the triangle.

 

Bu-Cu

Tactile symbol for buy is a penny glued on top of a piece of shopping bag on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for buy is a penny glued on top of a piece of shopping bag on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for carry is a small piece of tile glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for carry is a small piece of tile glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for chop is a wooden disc glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for chop is a wooden disc glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for choose is a small circle and X at the bottom of the triangle that are separated by a line of glue or puff paint.
Tactile symbol for choose is a small circle and X at the bottom of the triangle that are separated by a line of glue or puff paint.
Tactile symbol for clean room is a square of cloth with a square of sponge on top glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for clean room is a square of cloth with a square of sponge on top glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for climb is four short pieces of craft stick glued together in a stairstep fashion in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for climb is four short pieces of craft stick glued together in a stairstep fashion in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for cook is the letter C made from glue or puff paint in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for cook is the letter C made from glue or puff paint in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for cut is the blade of a plastic knife glued horizontally on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for cut is the blade of a plastic knife glued horizontally on the felt triangle.

D-Do

Tactile symbol for dance is a ribbon tied in a bow glued in the center or the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for dance is a ribbon tied in a bow glued in the center or the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for dig is a round of sand surrounded by a circle of glue or puff paint in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for dig is a round of sand surrounded by a circle of glue or puff paint in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for do chores is two wooden match sticks (one with a piece of sponge and one with bits of straw) along with a piece of fabric glued on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for do chores is two wooden match sticks (one with a piece of sponge and one with bits of straw) along with a piece of fabric glued on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for do laundry is two buttons glued side-by-side to the bottom of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for do laundry is two buttons glued side-by-side to the bottom of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for do science activities is a piece of craft stick with notches cut out on the sides and glued horizontally toward the bottom of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for do science activities is a piece of craft stick with notches cut out on the sides and glued horizontally toward the bottom of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for dress (put on clothes) is a piece of needlepoint backing cut in a square and glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for dress (put on clothes) is a piece of needlepoint backing cut in a square and glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for draw (create art) is a piece of crayon glued vertically on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for draw (create art) is a piece of crayon glued vertically on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for drink is a piece of cork sheet cut in the shape of a T and turned upside down on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for drink is a piece of cork sheet cut in the shape of a T and turned upside down on the felt triangle.

Dr-F

Tactile symbol for drop, fall, or spill is three rectangles (each slightly smaller than the other) stacked on top of each other and glued horizontally at the bottom of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for drop, fall, or spill is three rectangles (each slightly smaller than the other) stacked on top of each other and glued horizontally at the bottom of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for eat is the scoop part of a plastic spoon glued on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for eat is the scoop part of a plastic spoon glued on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for exercise is a piece of tinsel glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for exercise is a piece of tinsel glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Aerobic exercise
Tactile symbol for exercise – aerobic is a heart shape on the triangle of felt or foam sheet.
Tactile symbol for exercise - aerobics with a gall is a piece of beach ball next to a heart shape on the triangle.
Tactile symbol for exercise – aerobics with a gall is a piece of beach ball next to a heart shape on the triangle.

 

Tactile symbol for do pull-ups is a q-tip bent a u-shape with the straight part glued along the right edge of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for exercise –  pull-ups is a q-tip bent a u-shape with the straight part glued along the right edge of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for exit (for an emergency) is two wooden matchsticks glued parallel to each other vertically in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for exit (for an emergency) is two wooden matchsticks glued parallel to each other vertically in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for do sit-ups is a mini binder clip glued with the binder wings pointing up and binder at the base of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for exercise – sit-ups is a mini binder clip glued with the binder wings pointing up and binder at the base of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for explore Is a rectangular piece of needlepoint backing glued vertically on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for explore Is a rectangular piece of needlepoint backing glued vertically on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for fish is a piece of thin wood glued along one side of the triangle with a string attached to it and to a small bead that is glued on the opposite corner of the triangle in the fashion of a fishing pool, sting, and lure.
Tactile symbol for fish is a piece of thin wood glued along one side of the triangle with a string attached to it and to a small bead that is glued on the opposite corner of the triangle in the fashion of a fishing pool, sting, and lure.
Tactile symbol for flush is a button battery glued to the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for flush is a button battery glued to the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for go to language arts is a rectangular piece of balsa wood with a poker chip on top glued to the bottom of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for go to language arts is a rectangular piece of balsa wood with a poker chip on top glued to the bottom of the felt triangle.

Go-Li

Tactile symbol for go to math class is two short lines (equal sign) of glue or puff paint in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for go to math class is two short lines (equal sign) of glue or puff paint in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for go go movement class is a piece of ribbon forming a bow with a marble on top glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for go go movement class is a piece of ribbon forming a bow with a marble on top glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for go to orientation and mobility class is a tiny piece of PVC pipe glued on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for go to orientation and mobility class is a tiny piece of PVC pipe glued on the felt triangle.
Go to physical therapy is a rectangular piece foam (as in bolster) glued horizontally at the bottom of the triangle.
Go to physical therapy is a rectangular piece foam (as in bolster) glued horizontally at the bottom of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for go to radio club is a triangle of needlepoint backing with a washer glued on top in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for go to radio club is a triangle of needlepoint backing with a washer glued on top in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for complete grooming activities is a piece of Emory board glued horizontally at the base of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for complete grooming activities is a piece of Emory board glued horizontally at the base of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for jump is a tiny clothes pin glued vertically with the clip end facing down on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for jump is a tiny clothes pin glued vertically with the clip end facing down on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for list (make a list) is three circle of cork with lines of glue beside each in the manner of a list on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for list (make a list) is three circle of cork with lines of glue beside each in the manner of a list on the felt triangle.

Li-Mo

Tactile symbol for listen to music is a jingle bell glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for listen to music is a jingle bell glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for listen (to the radio) is a small washer glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for listen (to the radio) is a small washer glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for live is a small, flat, circular bead wrapped by a piece of tinsel and glued to the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for live is a small, flat, circular bead wrapped by a piece of tinsel and glued to the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for make a sack lunch is a piece of a paper bag glued to the center of the triangle with the top edge loose.
Tactile symbol for make a sack lunch is a piece of a paper bag glued to the center of the triangle with the top edge loose.
Tactile symbol for massage is a small rectangular piece of tile with a hand-shaped piece of plastic glued on top of it in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for massage is a small rectangular piece of tile with a hand-shaped piece of plastic glued on top of it in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for masturbate is a small piece of fake fur glued to the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for masturbate is a small piece of fake fur glued to the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for meet is a triangular piece of needlepoint backing glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for meet is a triangular piece of needlepoint backing glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for mop is a piece of wooden match stick with a small rectangle of sponge at one end glued vertically on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for mop is a piece of wooden match stick with a small rectangle of sponge at one end glued vertically on the felt triangle.

O-Pl

Tactile symbol for open is a small hole in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for open is a small hole in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for pack is a piece of pipe cleaner shaped like a suitcase in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for pack is a piece of pipe cleaner shaped like a suitcase in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for plant or garden is a small bean glued on the bottom of the triangle with two paper clips crossed x-shaped above it.
Tactile symbol for plant or garden is a small bean glued on the bottom of the triangle with two paper clips crossed x-shaped above it.
Tactile symbol for play is a parcheesi game piece glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for play is a parcheesi game piece glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for play balloon game is a deflated balloon glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for play balloon game is a deflated balloon glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for play baseball is a baseball shape with stitched areas made from glue or puff paint in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for play baseball is a baseball shape with stitched areas made from glue or puff paint in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for play CD player is a small circle of foam sheet with a macaroni noodle glued on top in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for play CD player is a small circle of foam sheet with a macaroni noodle glued on top in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for play soccer is a piece of a ball cut into a circle shape glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for play soccer is a piece of a ball cut into a circle shape glued in the center of the felt triangle.

Po-Ro

Tactile symbol for pour is the flex part of a bending straw glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for pour is the flex part of a bending straw glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for push is a single round bead glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for push is a single round bead glued in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for read is several small rectangles of paper stapled on the  left edge to create a book and glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for read is several small rectangles of paper stapled on the  left edge to create a book and glued to the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for read braille is the symbol for read with the addition of a small piece of braille paper with braille on it glued along side it.
Tactile symbol for read braille is the symbol for read with the addition of a small piece of braille paper with braille on it glued along side it.
Tactile symbol for relax is a piece of fake sheep's wool cut in a rectangle and glued horizontally on the triangle.
Tactile symbol for relax is a piece of fake sheep’s wool cut in a rectangle and glued horizontally on the triangle.
Tactile symbol for roll is a piece of ribbon curl glued vertically on the triangle.
Tactile symbol for roll is a piece of ribbon curl glued vertically on the triangle.
Tactile symbol for root (for) is a small bean glued above an inverted U-shaped piece of pipe cleaner in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for root (for) is a small bean glued above an inverted U-shaped piece of pipe cleaner in the center of the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for run is a piece of nylon cord glued in an O-shape on the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for run is a piece of nylon cord glued in an O-shape on the felt triangle.

Sc-To

Tactile symbol for scoop is a piece of hard plastic cut in the shape of a scoop and glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for scoop is a piece of hard plastic cut in the shape of a scoop and glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for take medicine is a piece of a plastic medicine cup glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for take medicine is a piece of a plastic medicine cup glued to the felt triangle.
Tactile symbol for use the toilet is a piece of needlepoint backing with a small bit of yarn tied to the bottom corner and glued in the center of the triangle.
Tactile symbol for toilet (v.) is a piece of needlepoint backing with a small bit of yarn tied to the bottom corner and glued in the center of the triangle.