I have been super inspired about the options for sensory
play in the blogs I have been reading.
I created this idea to use
popcorn and measuring cups and spoons for the kids to play with. I just happened to have a popcorn
bucket. A happy accident. My youngest, B, was not so excited about the
sensory bucket at first. But then, he
was all about it. Using a spoon to make
the popcorn fall into the bucket and make a sound became his favorite activity
in the end. It made a sound like rain
fall. So, of course, I had to sing
“Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.
Barney’s friends all want to play.
Rain, rain go away.” The kids, my
older daughter, J, nine years of age, play with the bucket for 45 minutes. They added B’s cars at last, and created
their own play.
Another idea I found in a blog
includes the light tray made in from a clear storage container. I used this inspiration to expand the play
with an booster tray simply because I had no clear container. Battery operated lights showed the shapes of
the items on the tray. First I utilized
some magnet shapes but the shapes were not new in our play. The nature items found outside were more
interesting, but some were a little ‘prickly’ so they were maybe not as
exciting to my older, more sensitive, daughter, J. Due to her Down Syndrome, she is sometimes
too cautious. But the stencil and crayon
play excited her. We also drew some
freehand flowers which she also enjoyed.
Given more time, I think we can
find even more things to use for a light tray, like a house key, feather,
kitchen utensils. You tell me what you
think!
