Playful Possibilities: Social Engagement and Learning with Tissue Paper

Jamie Hughes-Lika, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, IBA
Mar 1
4 min read

Updated: Mar 11

Child with curly hair looks through a cardboard tube like a telescope. Wears a blue shirt with patterns. Yellow flowers in foreground.

Welcome to "Playful Possibilities: Everyday Items, Endless Fun," where we explore how everyday items can foster social engagement, motivation, and communication in young autistic children. This month, we’re diving into the surprisingly versatile world of tissue paper! From its bright colors to its crinkly texture, tissue paper offers countless opportunities for meaningful play and skill-building. By incorporating Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) strategies, you can transform this everyday item into a tool for fostering engagement, communication, and connection.

1. "Tissue Tornado"

Description: Gather colorful tissue paper and let the child tear it into pieces. Toss the pieces into the air to create a tissue “tornado,” encouraging the child to join in.

Learning Opportunities: This activity supports motor skills, turn-taking, and joint attention as the child participates in the playful chaos of tearing and tossing tissue paper.

NDBI Strategies:

Following Your Child’s Lead: If the child starts to crumple or shred the tissue paper, join in their play. Mirror their actions to connect and maintain engagement.
Building Anticipation: Say, “Ready, set…” and pause, waiting for the child to look at you or signal “go” before tossing the paper.
Expanding Communication: Label actions like “tear,” “crinkle,” or “throw” to model language. Use phrases like “It’s flying!” or “Let’s make a big tornado!”
Celebrate Small Wins: Cheer when your child tears the paper, joins you in tossing it, or reacts with joy, saying, “You made it fly so high!”

2. "Peek-a-Boo Tissue Game"

Description: Hold a piece of tissue paper in front of your face and play peek-a-boo with the child. Alternatively, hide objects under tissue paper and encourage the child to find them.

Learning Opportunities: This game fosters joint attention, sustained engagement, and problem-solving as the child interacts with the tissue paper.

NDBI Strategies:

Turn-Taking: Alternate roles, letting the child “hide” their face or objects, and say, “My turn!” to promote reciprocity.
Promoting Shared Attention: Use excited expressions and animated voices, such as “Where’s [Child’s Name]? Peek-a-boo!”
Expanding Language: Encourage simple words or phrases like “found it!” or “where?” while playing.
Celebrate Small Wins: Applaud when the child pulls the tissue down to “find” you or discovers a hidden object, saying, “You did it—so clever!”

3. "Tissue Art Creations"

Description: Provide tissue paper squares and glue to create colorful art projects. Help the child scrunch, roll, or tear the paper to stick onto a larger surface, like a cardboard canvas or paper.

Learning Opportunities: This activity supports fine motor skills, creativity, and collaborative play as the child works alongside you.

NDBI Strategies:

Modeling and Imitation: Show the child how to crumple the tissue and stick it, saying, “Like this! Your turn!”
Reinforcing Success: Celebrate when the child adds tissue paper to the artwork with phrases like, “Beautiful job—look at your colors!”
Promoting Choice-Making: Offer options like, “Do you want red or blue?” or “Where should this piece go?” to encourage decision-making and communication.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge every effort, whether it’s placing a piece of paper or simply touching the materials. Say, “You’re making such a colorful picture—amazing!”

4. "Tissue Trail Adventure"

Description: Lay down a trail of tissue paper leading to a “treasure” (e.g., a favorite toy). Encourage the child to follow the trail, walking, crawling, or hopping along the way.

Learning Opportunities: This activity supports gross motor skills, attention, and problem-solving while incorporating playful exploration.

NDBI Strategies:

Building Anticipation: Excitedly point to the trail and say, “What’s at the end? Let’s follow it!”
Encouraging Communication: Prompt simple phrases like “go,” “look,” or “I found it!” as the child follows the trail.
Following the Child’s Lead: If they choose to crumple or play with the tissue along the way, join in and redirect gently to the trail when ready.
Celebrate Small Wins: Cheer for each step they take along the trail, saying, “You’re getting closer—great job!”

Enhancing Engagement, Motivation, and Attention with Tissue Paper

Enhancing Attention - Use pauses, playful expressions, and exaggerated gestures to build anticipation as you engage with the tissue paper. For example: Crinkle the paper slowly and say, “What’s that sound? Listen!” before making the noise again. When tossing tissue into the air, pause and say, “Ready, set…” and wait for your child to look at you or signal “go” before continuing.
Boosting Motivation -Keep the activity exciting by introducing new variations or items to use with the tissue paper: Notice what your child enjoys most—tearing, crumpling, throwing, or hiding objects—and integrate those preferences into the activity. Add surprises, such as hiding a favorite toy beneath the tissue paper for the child to find, saying, “What’s under here?”
Supporting Social Engagement - Tissue paper is a wonderful tool to promote shared play and social connections. Build a sense of togetherness by: Copying their actions: If they crumple the paper, do the same and say, “I’m crumpling too—look!” Sharing expressions: Use animated facial expressions, such as wide eyes or big smiles, and narrate the activity with excitement. For instance, say, “You’re making it fly! Wow!” Encouraging back-and-forth play: Take turns hiding and finding objects under the tissue or tossing it into the air together, saying, “My turn! Now it’s your turn!”

Final Thoughts

Tissue paper is more than just a craft supply—it’s a powerful tool for creating meaningful moments of connection, engagement, and learning. By incorporating NDBI strategies like following the child’s lead, embedding language goals, and celebrating small achievements, you can transform simple play into transformative experiences.

Stay tuned for next month’s “Playful Possibilities” feature, where we’ll share even more ways to turn everyday items into extraordinary opportunities for growth and bonding. Together, let’s celebrate the small steps that lead to big connections!

Check out this handout for more Playful Possibilities!