Tacticos Training
The Tacticos training program is part of the Tacticos Project aimed at supporting professionals and caregivers working with children with visual impairments (aged 1 to 12). The training provides practical guidance on how to enhance reading, learning and concept development through the use of tactile illustrated books. On top of that, stimulating fun and inclusion remain the most important components.
The program translates key elements of the official guidelines on tactile illustrations into a hands-on, accessible training for both VI professionals and parents. It covers essential topics such as the purpose and value of tactile books, how to introduce them to children and how to support children in ‘reading’, recognizing and understanding tactile images.
Participants gain insights into how tactile illustrations work and how to guide children in exploring and interpreting them, fostering meaningful concept development. Importantly, the training also emphasizes the joy of shared reading and the importance of inclusive practices, encouraging children to experience reading as both fun and enriching.
By combining theoretical background with interactive, experience-based sessions, the program promotes concept building, language development and sensory exploration, empowering children with visual impairments to engage more fully with the world around them.
Target audience and goals
The training targets two main groups:
- Professionals: including VI teachers, therapists, early intervention specialists and publishers of tactile books.
- Parents: of children with VI, who play a key role in early literacy and concept formation.
The goal is to equip both groups with practical strategies and insights to support children in exploring and understanding tactile illustrations and stories. Central to the training is the idea that reading should be inclusive, accessible and enjoyable.
Training structure and topics
ach session lasts about two hours and includes the following core topics:
1. Importance of tactile books
Tactile books offer access to language, imagination, and shared reading for children with VI. They also help build real-world concepts through multi-sensory exploration.
2. Concept and language development
The training explores how abstract ideas become meaningful when built through rich, guided experiences. Participants learn how to support children’s learning using storytelling and touch.
3. Tactile language and strategies
Attendees discover how children develop tactile literacy and how to guide them in navigating textures, shapes and spatial layouts in books.
4. Experience-Based Learning
– Professionals: Practice with blindfolds to simulate the experience of a VI child, guided by a colleague.
– Parents: Read with their own child, supported by trainers, to apply newly learned techniques in a natural setting.
Participants also receive information about where to find tactile books and additional materials in their country.
Training materials
To support the sessions, several resources have been developed:
- Summary of 12 key tips for reading tactile books with children.
- PowerPoint Presentation and roadmap document: Tailored slides for professionals and parents to guide the session content.
- Don’t forget to utilize the guidelines and our demonstration books.
All materials are designed to be flexible and user-friendly, encouraging consistent application in various settings (schools, libraries, homes). Download each of these materials as a pdf through the buttons.