Squishy stuff.

It's not any secret that Mateo has issues with textures, specifically things that feel slimy or gooey. Even at a year old he did not want to pick up fruit with his fingers, and now, well, let's just say finger painting is NOT his favorite activity. Some of you may have even witnessed him getting upset at his first birthday party about getting frosting on his fingers. Most kids lick things like that off, but Mateo will ask you for a napkin.

There's actually a term for it - tactile sensory disorder. We haven't taken him for a professional consult, but he definitely does fit the criteria for a mild case (issues with textures, picky eater, walks on toes, likes to be clean, etc.). Thankfully he doesn't display symptoms of a serious case (clothing irritations, sucking on fingers, avoidance of touch, etc.). After conferencing with his teacher about that (and other things - he helps clean the classroom, shares with his friends, plays well with others, etc.), I've decided to embark more seriously on exposing him to various textures; some occupational therapy, if you will.

So today on this rainy Sunday we made some all natural play clay. It's made with flour, salt, oil, hot water, and paprika for color. He enjoyed feeling the dry ingredients, and eventually warmed up to playing with the dough. He made a cat and a dinosaur.

Then we cleaned up our area and used soapy, squishy water. Honestly I think he enjoyed playing with the measuring items most.

And then there was this...

Thank goodness he's cute, 'cause that laugh about did me in after a solid five minutes.