This session explores the roots and current utility of tactiles. Growing in popularity, tactile representations are used for access to literacy and learning and as a representation of language in both expressive and receptive communication. There can be confusion about the purpose of tactiles and how to introduce them to young children. During this session, Kelly and Donna will define tactiles into categories based on their properties, share the principles of “touch thinking,” and give examples of using tactiles as a strategy for learning, reading, writing, and communicating.