Tactile symbols representing emotions are made with heart-shaped poster board. The backing could include materials such as foil, contact paper, and  netting 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: 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: heart-shaped

Background: none or various materials such as netting, foil, contact paper