My Favorite Textured Materials for CVI

Textured materials are one of many ways to adapt activities for students with CVI. These materials provide texture, color, and make activities more visually engaging.  These materials also help address the characteristics of CVI, such as

• the need for movement
• color preference
• difficulties with visual complexity, and more.

You can use these textured materials for an unlimited number of activities. In addition, if your student has the CVI characteristic of color preference, using a variety of textures in the same color, for example, red, can be extremely beneficial for some students. Some of my favorite activities to adapt are books, vocabulary cards, crafts, and more! Non-affiliate links are provided in this blog post.

My 3 Favorite Textured Materials for CVI

Glitter Foam Paper

Glitter foam paper is one of my favorites for a few reasons! This type of paper lifts off the page, comes in many bright colors, and has glitter. The glitter is a bonus as it catches the light and is visually appealing. This material is shiny and beneficial for students who need movement, as the glitter can create the illusion of movement.

Felt

Felt is so easy to use, especially if you buy the type with a sticky back. Additionally, the felt is soft to touch, which can grab a student’s attention because of its contrast with the paper/lamination. Felt is available in a variety of colors, which should include your student’s preferred color. As seen in the image above, the green mitten is made of green felt.

Holographic/Metallic Paper

Although I am grouping these two types of paper together, they are different and sold separately. Both of these types of paper catch the light, which can be exceptionally beneficial for students who need movement, as these materials can create the illusion of movement. Metallic and holographic papers are great to use with a flashlight to gain attention. Holographic paper is available in limited colors, while metallic paper comes in a variety of colors. As seen in the image above, the fire is made from metallic paper.

Additional Textured Materials for CVI

Corrugated Paper

This paper provides bumpy feedback when touched. In addition, corrugated paper comes in a variety of colors. Blue corrugated paper was used to create the shovel in the image above.

Pom Poms

Pom poms are three-dimensional and soft to touch and engage with. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, which makes them versatile.

Some other notable materials that I love using include:

• pipe cleaners
• wooden paper?
• feathers
• sandpaper
• cotton balls
• puffy paint, and more!