In this BLOG post I will teach you my five best tips to set you up for sensory success!
If you are on the fence about beginning sensory play, I can help you! Use these tips to help set you and your child/student up for success!
Sensory supports:
Language development & vocabulary
Cognitive growth
Fine motor skills (small muscle movements)
Gross motor skills (big movements)
Problem-solving skills
Communication
Exploration of textures
One's ability to make connections
The concept of cause & effect
Prepare your environment:
Choose your buffer: an old sheet, a tablecloth, a beach towel, plastic shower liner, etc. and lay that down. This will help create a boundary during play and also make clean-up easier. If rice falls on the blanket just toss it back in the bin when you're done!
Designate a space in your environment that is easily accessible, easily cleaned and comfortable for all. We call this the "sensory spot!" When we use one consistent space it not only teaches expectations, but it also helps to maintain some of the mess!
If you have a new rug or a library book, move them away from your sensory spot before you begin. Are you doing messy play? If you can't take it outdoors, perhaps your sensory spot can be somewhere close to the sink or tub.
Gather your materials:
Before I bring a child over to play, I make sure to have everything I need to be successful. Think ahead: bring over wipes, paper towels, etc. Gather all of the scoops, cups and trinkets that you think will be explored. If your child is helping you set up, remind them that play isn’t going to start until everything is ready. Incorporating a fun code word is a great way to practice this, “When I say sparkle, it’s time to start playing!”
Sometimes creating the activity together is part of the fun and I LOVE that. If you want to gather all of the materials with your kiddo(s), try giving them jobs to help them feel empowered.
"You are in charge of the scoops. Can you go pick two scoops from the drawer?"
"Your job is to lay down the towel in our sensory spot!"
Another way to support them is to provide them with choices as you go.
"Would you like to use the blue bowl or the red bowl?"
"Would you like to play with play dough or our rice bin?"
"We are going to play with a sensory bin. Do you want to add in trucks or farm animals?"
Base sensory experiences off of your child’s interests and abilities:
This should be an engaging experience. Trying something for the first time can lead to sensitive feelings, but there are ways to set your child up for success. If you know that they prefer clean hands, save messy recipes for later when they have built up a tolerance.
Regardless of what you see online or at friends' houses, sensory play should serve your kids individual needs and interests. If they like sparkly gems, add those in! If they like dinos, make a dino bin! Truck lover? Perfect, use them push and scoop and push the sensory base around the bin!
Do they only want to play with a farm-themed sensory bin? GREAT. Each time they explore it they are learning something new. They are strengthening muscles and gaining skills and benefiting from the repetition and comfort of the familiar.
Model, Teach, Reinforce, REPEAT!
Sensory play is open-ended, there is no wrong way to play! That being said, if you sit with your child in the beginning and model your expectations it will help to ensure future sensory play success.
It is important to note that expectations are not HOW to play with the materials, but ways to play safely & responsibly. For instance: “Rice stays in bin.”
To start, determine what exactly your expectations and boundaries are. These are going to look and sound different to each of us. What feels "OK" to me, may feel overwhelming to you and vice versa. Ask yourself, "What am I OK with? What am I NOT OK with?" It is more than alright if your boundaries are different than mine. You have to do what feels safe and manageable TO YOU!
Each of our families are different and need different things. Base your expectations and boundaries off or your personal feelings, as well as the ages and developmental levels of your children/students.
These are some of my boundaries and expectations for sensory play:
Rice stays in bin. This does not mean if some goes flying out during play, I get upset. It means that I expect you to scoop and dump and pour IN the bin. I do not expect you to take a big scoop and throw it on the floor. Again, spills happen!
Play dough on a tray. In our home, if you want to play with play dough you have to grab a tray first. This serves as a barrier to keep the materials all together and it also protects surfaces.
Play dough at the table. One they have their tray, play dough is always done at the kitchen table. There are no rugs or surfaces that can get damaged, so that is the most effective spot to keep cleaning easy and at a minimum!
Clean up when done. This is their play and their responsibility to clean up. Do I help, YES! Do they help me, also yes!
Be clear & consistent with your boundaries and expectations. Explain them in language that your child or student can understand them. Be consistent in your words and how you phrase them! I always use the exact same phrases and same sing-song tone.
Why?
Two reasons...one, it teaches expectations must faster. If you are constantly saying the same thing, but differently, it can be challenging to process what you are actually asking for! Consistent phrases help to get your message across quickly and accurately!
Two, when I use a sing-song voice it keeps my tone more neutral, even when I am feeling frustrated. Did my kids forget their play dough tray even though the expectation hasn't changed? Instead of me saying, "How many times do I have to tell you to GET A TRAY!!!!" I say, "Play dough on tray."
Short. Clear. Consistent.
Next, model, teach & reinforce those expectations. Sit with them & show them. Play with them to guide them but allow them creative freedom! When something is new, it is common for children, especially young toddlers, to push those boundaries and see what will happen. It is actually VERY developmentally appropriate for them to do so! It is our job to hold that boundary, safely.
If they are pushing a boundary (i.e. throwing rice out of the bin), give them a verbal prompt. It could sound like this: “Rice stays in bin..” Keep your language clear, consistent & short. If the unwanted behavior continues after two prompts, remove the bin & try again at a later time. It could sound like, “Rice stays in bin. We will try again later.”
When we are modeling boundaries, it’s important to tell them exactly what we are expecting from them. Use specific language that they can understand, then get on their level and physically show them what that means. Sit and scoop the rice in the bin and say “rice stays in bin!”
Reinforce them when they follow your expectations, “Yay! Rice in bin!!”
Clothing:
Wear clothing that is washable. Choose items that everyone is comfortable with getting messy.
Do you have a child in a diaper? Sensory play in a diaper is easy clean-up: wipe them down or head straight for the tub! Is it warm?
Bathing suits outdoors is also a great option.
You want the kids to be in clothes that can get a little messy, just in case!
Do you want to make these fun and festive sensory bin? Check out the directions HERE!!
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