SE 9.01Mystery Bag
The child reaches into a cloth bag, feels an object without looking, names it, and then takes it out to check.
Age 3–5Work 1 of 2 in Stereognostic
Presentation
- 1
Show the objects to the child and name each one together; then put them in the bag.
- 2
Put one hand in the bag without looking, looking instead at the child or the ceiling.
- 3
Move your fingers around one object slowly and say "I think this is a spoon."
- 4
Take it out and look: "It is a spoon."
- 5
Invite the child to take a turn.
- 6
Continue until the bag is empty.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Use objects the child has not seen put into the bag.
- Use two bags with pairs of objects: feel an object in one bag and find its match in the other.
- Put the Geometric Solids in the bag and name them by touch.
- Ask a partner to request a specific object: "Find me the key."
Control of error
Taking the object out of the bag shows whether it was named correctly.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Names familiar objects by touch alone
- Keeps eyes off the bag without reminders
- Finds matching objects in two bags
Guide note
Choose objects that are safe to handle blind: no sharp points or small pieces a child could swallow.