Sensory
Sensory Activity 1
Activity Title: Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
Age Group: Preschool (3–5 years)
Intent:
Children will play in the bin and get to discover the different sounds and texture the rice has with different objects. They can do so many things like scooping, pouring, and transferring the rice to cup or back into the bin, which supports fine motor development as they play with different objects like funnels, toys, and cups and more. This activity also helps with eye coordination when the children pour the rice into the funnel or cup. It also let children to play at their own pace.
Materials:
- Rice
- Food colouring
- Scoops
- Funnels
- Cups and containers
- Spoons
- Tray or sensory bin
- Broom and dustpan for cleanup
How to do it:
Make the rice ahead of time with food colouring and then let the rice dry, then, set up an area inside or outside if the weather is nice with a large bin and fill it with the coloured rice so children can explore and play with funnels, cups, and toys. Have different object for the children to play with so they don't get bored and they can explore in their own way with the different materials. the materials can be stuff you find at home like plastic water bottles, cardboard, and other materials. This will help the children explore the material at their own pace, pouring, scooping, filling, and emptying, and creating their own way of playing.
Sensory Activity 2
Activity Title: Water Exploration Station
Age Group: Toddler (18 months–2.5 years)
Intent:
Children get to explore water through sensory play while using different types of materials to develop fine motor skills, eye- hands coordination.
Materials:
- Water table or large plastic bin
- Water
- Cups and measuring cups
- Small pitcher
- Funnels
- Sponges
- Floating toys
- Waterproof dolls or animals
How to do it:
I would go outside and fill the water table with a shallow amount of water and place different types of materials for children to explore by pouring, scooping, squeezing, splashing, floating and playing. Following the child lead and interest by adding new materials and encourages children to explore the different ways water moves. I would also ask open-ended question during this activity which toys will float and which one will sink. Make sure there is an adult watching throughout the activity.
Sensory Activity 3
Activity Title: Bubble Foam Sensory Bin
Age Group: Preschool (3–5 years)
Intent:
Children will explore different textures while developing fine motor skills, creative, language, early science concepts while open- ended sensory play.
Materials:
- Bubble foam ( made from water and soap)
- Bin or tray
- Food colouring
- Measuring cups
- Bowls
- Whisk
- Scoops and spoons
- Toy animals
How to do it:
I would go outside and fill the bin or tray with water and soap to make bubbles and have different types of materials for children to explore and play with. The children can create stories with the toy animals, or pretend to wash them. The children can also scoop, pour, mix, squeeze the foam and experience what they can do. I would follow the children ideas and asked open-ended questions during the activity like what does the bubbles feel like to you.
Sensory Activity 4
Activity Title: Oobleck Exploration
Age Group: School Age (6–12 years)
Intent:
Children will be exploring different textures of oobleck while being curiosity how it works, fine motor skills, intro to science through a hands-on sensory activity.
Materials:
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Food colouring
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups
- Spoons
- Toys or plastic animals
- Trays
How to do it:
To make oobleck you want to mix 2 cups of cornstarch with 1 cup of water until the oobleck reaches a smooth consistency. While making it let the children become scientists and predict what it will feel like and then test ideas. Children can choose the colour of oobleck by adding a few drops of food colouring. Once it is mixed let the children squeeze, scoop, pour, and stretch the oobleck while exploring the changing. Have different types of materials can the children can explore freely while comparing what the same and what is different while playing with the tools.