Sensory Stencils

Sensory Stencils were designed as a way to provide inclusive multisensory experiences to children who may require accommodations due to physical, sensory or cognitive delays while learning the alphabet and learning to read. Designed by educators with degrees in Human Development, Special Education, English and Secondary Education, Sensory Stencils can be used to enhance the learning experiences for all learners. Sensory Stencils work great because they provide a visual and kinesthetic experience; use the textured side to provide tactile reinforcement of the letter’s shape. Flip the letter over, and the student is provided an errorless track to form the letter using the writing tool of their need or preference. The three-dimensional design accommodates children who may benefit from physically holding a letter and practicing how to properly orientate the letter on a surface. Sensory Stencils can also be used in reading stations to build words in a more concrete manner than 2-D flashcards allow.

Design Ideas
These initials letters are our first draft for this project. We are honing them based on our design skill and also how they are being used by teachers and students. More letters, including lower-case letters, will be coming shortly. We’re also developing a prototype for non-symmetrical letters (exp. “G”, “F” and “J”) with a stacking stencil design. Our current design theory is that letters should be about 20mm in height with some kind of texture (2mm) on the top. Length and width average about 120mm by 85mm depending on the letter with a recessed “track” on the bottom of about 10mm in width and 12 in depth. This is meant to allow for a pencil, marker or chunky crayon to fit into the track.