"Sensory play is believed to help children develop by allowing them to experience and engage with properties on their own, such as cognitively through decision-making and physically through refining their fine motor skills. It also serves to help them connect the meanings of words to the experiences, which can help in prewriting skills. Finally, group sensory play can teach kids how to cooperate and interact with others in terms of problem-solving."
This is the introduction to the article, "6 creative sensory tubs to inspire kid explorers" on the Mashable.com website. The article notes: "With just a few items you can create your own sensory bin — and it's a lot better than sitting the kids in front of the television. To do so, fill a shallow container with items that naturally stimulate a child's senses — this can range from the scent from a cinnamon stick to feeling uncooked beans in a tub. Just be careful of choking hazards."
Encourage young investigators to feel, listen, smell, taste, and see their way to discovery by seamlessly infusing math and science throughout the school day! As you incorporate all five senses into learning experiences, you will give little innovators the opportunity to observe and explore the world around them. The activities in Hands-On Science and Math: Fun, Fascinating Activities for Young Children will help you plan engaging science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) lessons that will excite children and foster their critical thinking.
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I am so discouraged in seeing the suggestion to use colored rice as a sensory media. We have worked so hard to eliminate mixed messages and to be respectful and responsible culturally and socially, that promoting the use of rice serves to undo sound gains. Alternatives to food (and there are MANY) need to be reflected as best practice!
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I've come to rely on Exchange Every Day for sharing information on best practices, new research studies, new legislation, current trends that impact children, families and our profession....surprised to find today's Exchange not up to your usual level of professionalism. "Watching the Jell-O change its state is sure to teach the little ones something?!" Issues I have with the Mashable piece...Most programs in my area no longer use food in curriculum activities out of respect for low income families and there are safety concerns in the suggestions made beyond choking hazards. If you're going to use baby oil it's important to seal sensory bags as the oil is not to be consumed (there's a warning on the bottle) and uncooked beans can be toxic if eaten.
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