Provides examples of science activities in which children use their senses in manipulating objects and ideas. Suggests that these and other activities be extended to help children deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. (JN)

Differences in how the two hemispheres of the brain handle spatial information were studied with blind subjects and blindfolded sighted subjects. The performances of all groups declined as the relative disorientation between the target and its duplicate increased, suggesting that visual imagery is not crucial to mental rotation. (Author/SEW)

This article, the last in a series about the human brain, focuses on the skin and its importance for the brain. Physiological functions of the skin, concerning touch and body protection, are explained, as well as its social role in nonverbal communication. Suggestions for student discussions are given. (PP)

Children were individually administered the Matching Familiar Figures (MFF) Test and the Haptic Matching Task. Impulsives received either reflective scanning strategy training or control procedures and were retested. Visual training decreased errors only on the MFF and increased latency on both tasks. Haptic training decreased errors and increased…

A description is presented of the aspects and interpretations of the haptics of the English handshake in order to raise consciousness among native English speakers and to provide directions for non-native English speakers who might wish to learn or teach these aspects of the handshake. (SW)

Describes how phonics can help deaf students in both speech production and reading despite their inability to obtain auditory feedback. Successful deaf graduate students are reported to use tactile-kinesthetic feedback in interpreting phonetic information. Teachers of younger students are urged to emphasize speech instruction (even if speech is…

Examined claim that associations between emotional responses to maternal separation and cognitive performance would change with cognitive development over the first year. Emphasized the measurement of separation and reunion distress. Found that emotional responses and cognitive performance may be linked by individual differences in self-regulation…

Analysis of completed surveys from 230 teachers of blind and visually impaired learners found that preservice training programs emphasizing the methodology of teaching Braille and the development of tactual perception tended to produce teachers who have positive attitudes toward Braille and feel competent in teaching Braille to children. (DB)

This paper discusses basic strategies in providing speech information to deaf individuals via the tactile modality and describes the Tactaid II and Tactaid VII vibrotactile aids employed in the Central Institute for the Deaf Sensory Aids Study. Coding, display, and operation are described for each device. Results from previous studies with both…

Eighteen science activities that help children learn to use their senses are described. Multisensory activities and single-sensory activities are provided. Each activity includes a list of materials, the procedure, information for the teacher, questions, and a vocabulary list of words often used by children to describe what is taking place. (KR)

Twenty-four adults with mild mental retardation were compared with equal-mental age children and adults without mental retardation on tactile processing asymmetries. Results suggest that hemispheric processing is dependent on information processing requirements rather than type of stimulus. (Author/JDD)

Practical knowledge and skills are necessary components of expertise. Practical training in higher education has been shown to foster students' learning and understanding of theoretical backgrounds. The attitude and skill of mentors play a central role in enhancing the quality of students' practical learning. The aims of this study were to explore…

Discusses the different types of learning disabilities (visual, auditory, motor, tactile, academic), types of accommodations needed for each disability, and hints for supervisors. These suggestions include practicing patience, being direct and specific, explaining inappropriate behavior, being understanding but firm, and being especially thorough…

Methods for teaching pupils to use their senses to explore colors, shapes, textures, and sounds of the great outdoors are described. Ideas include: (1) having children hug their own special tree; (2) looking for geometric shapes in nature; (3) taking nocturnal nature walks; (4) building a track for racing insects; and (5) collecting objects with…

First-, third-, and fifth-grade children and adults performed a tactile shape-discrimination task. Changes in the magnitude of differences between performance in the left and right perceptual fields were examined. Results suggested that the right hemisphere becomes progressively more specialized for tactile spatial ability with increasing age.…