Touch and Tell Body Map
In pairs, one partner closes their eyes while the other gently touches a body part with a sensory ball. With eyes closed, the student names the body part, moves it and then traces a movement with it, building body awareness through touch.
How to play
- Pair up students and give each pair one sensory ball and one yoga mat. The teacher shows the allowed areas: shoulders, arms, hands, back, knees and feet (2 min).
- One partner sits on the mat with eyes closed. The other partner rests the ball gently on an allowed area for two seconds (1 min).
- With eyes still closed, the student names the body part and moves it: a shoulder goes up and down, a knee bends. Five touches and then switch (4 min).
- Round two: the toucher rolls the ball along a short path, like from wrist to elbow, and the partner says where it traveled (3 min).
- Standing finish: with eyes open, everyone moves around the space and, when the teacher calls a body part, they touch it with the ball and move it in every direction (2 min).
Rules
- Touch only allowed areas and only with the ball, never with your hand.
- Touch gently, with no squeezing or tapping hard.
- Anyone who doesn't want to close their eyes can cover them with a hand or look at the floor.
- Keep voices low so all pairs can focus.
Variations
Easier
Touch only big body parts, like arms, legs and back.
Standard
Touch all allowed areas and have the partner move the touched part.
Harder
Touch two body parts at once or in a row and have the partner name them in order.
Adaptations
- For students with limited mobility, do the activity seated in a chair and move only the parts they can, naming them.
- For students with autism or touch sensitivity, let them choose the ball, announce each touch beforehand or play with eyes open.
- For students ready for more, add left and right: right shoulder, left knee.
Learning goals
- Recognize body parts through touch without using sight.
- Move the body segment that was touched on its own.
- Respect a partner's body boundaries.
Equipment for a class of 25
- sensory balls: 13
- yoga mats: 13
Teacher tip
Explain the allowed areas clearly before starting and circulate among pairs; if you don't have sensory balls, a tennis ball or beanbag works fine.
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