In this BLOG post I will teach you how to set and reinforce boundaries during sensory play, as well as how to dye this festive and fun sensory base!
Often the number one concern I hear from parents, therapists, educators and caregivers is that they are concerned with the MESS that can accompany sensory play. This is understandable, considering, there are many messes that come along with spending your day with a tiny human as it is!
Sensory play can be messy, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It should serve as a fun and engaging way to strengthen motor skills, learn new skills and practice independent play. It can also be a sweet way to incorporate some quality 1:1 time together!
There will always be some mess that comes along with sensory play. Spills happen. Things tip over or fall out and that is to be expected when exploring freely. That being said, it does not (and should not!) be a free-for-all, throwing rice and play dough all around your home or classroom!
There are ways to teach, model and reinforce boundaries and expectations to help make it an enjoyable process for everyone! There are also ways to set yourself up for success so that mess is more maintained, and spills are at a minimum!
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!!”
Did you know that the average attention span is just 2-3 minutes per year of age?
Keep this in mind when setting expectations with your children. I always keep a sensory set-up out (if safe to do so) so that kids can float in and out of it throughout the day!
Setting boundaries is healthy and consistently modeling and reinforcing those boundaries will help to make your sensory journey fun, engaging and enjoyable for all!
Do you want to learn how to incorporate sensory play into your day? Read our best tips and tricks HERE!
Do you want to make this beautiful sensory bin? Check out the full directions HERE!
You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always monitor children.
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