Fabrics Box
A detailed guide to understanding the Fabrics Box material and how it is used within the Early Years curriculum.
How does it work?
Guidepost’s Fabrics Box includes 6 pairs of different fabrics inside a wooden box with lid. Each fabric pair is a different color and pattern from the others and, by their nature, present contrasting textures. This material is used to refine the child’s sense of touch.
Prerequisite Skills - As with all Sensorial materials, the benefits of the Fabrics Box are best enjoyed by the child who has developed their ability to work logically through multi-step tasks. The exercises of Practical Life are the ideal training ground for this. Extensive work with Practical Life activities or other real, everyday tasks is the best way to prepare a child for this and other Sensorial activities.
sample lesson.
Start by watching this sample lesson from our Guidepost Homeschool platform that will familiarize you to the Fabrics Box and its use.
If you are already subscribed to Guidepost Homeschool, scroll down to see all the corresponding lessons where this material is used in our curriculum. To unlock more than 2,000+ lessons subscribe to Guidepost Homeschool today.
how to set up.
Setup - Carefully remove all packaging materials. Rearrange the fabrics inside the box so that there are two identical sets stacked on top of one another, not pairs of the same. When not in use, the material can be stored in this manner on the shelf alongside other Sensorial materials.
The selection of fabrics can vary according to stock, but they are likely to be among these:
- Velvet
- Terry cloth
- Linen
- Corduroy
- Tulle
- Cotton
- Polyester
- Burlap
Usage Tips - This material is suitable for use either on a work rug on the floor or at a child-height table.
You might invite your child to wear a blindfold while matching the pairs of fabrics—this challenges them to use their hands to feel the unique texture of each one.
For Guidepost Homeschool subscribers
If you are already subscribed to Guidepost Homeschool, start in the order below to navigate to the corresponding lesson plans using the Fabrics Box in our Altitude learning platform.
Wondering about supplies used in particular lessons? Detailed materials lists can be found at the beginning of each lesson in Guidepost’s Altitude system, as well as on the materials cards at the beginning of each unit.
- Corresponding Altitude lessons
Lessons where the Fabrics Box is used
Sensorial: (3-5) Tactile Sense
- Introducing the Fabrics Box
- Follow Up: Comparison Game
- Follow Up: Language Extension
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