In Our Time classes last week we explored Fall-themed sensory bins. Children learn about their world by using all of their senses! Babies and toddlers touch everything and put things in their mouths. They make funny noises and experiment with how the world sounds with their finger stuck in their ear. They laugh at the feeling of spinning or swinging.
As a parent, providing your child with sensory stimulating opportunities allows them to learn how to use all of their senses and make sense of and organize various stimuli.
Other areas of brain development are stimulated during sensory play, including:
-Labeling the consistencies/tastes/sounds with new words to develop language
-Sorting and separating strengthens fine motor skills
-Sensory play provides a calming experience for a child
-New textures and sounds allow opportunity for imaginative play
Sensory play is a key component of Kindermusik classes at each age level. A few of the regular sensory activities woven into the Kindermusik curriculum include:
-Village- Intentional touch, Hammocking
-Our Time- Rocking, Fingerplays, Active Listening and Lots of Movement!
-Imagine That! & Young Child- We identify and explore musical concepts using a variety of sensory experiences.
Even at a young age, your child will show preferences for certain sensory activities over others. For instance, while some toddlers are constantly squirming and moving about, others are more content to sit and quietly observe from mom’s lap. Take some time to explore different sensory activities with your child, and discover what his or her preferences are! From finger-painting and exploring “sensory bins” to swinging and rocking, to lifting and pushing heavy objects, there are a myriad of ways to expose your child to sensory experiences. And these experiences make for stronger and healthier brain development in multiple areas.
In the bin:
Corn Feed
Fall colored leaves
Small gourds
Jewels
Foam animal shapes
We explored the bins using our hands, cups, shovels, scoops and sifters. Implementing this learning technique at home is easy: take items you already have on hand such as rice, oats or beans. Then, simply hide some small toys for your child to discover using measuring cups and spoons! You can also try hiding marbles or M&Ms to develop fine motor skills.
For a great resource to learn more about incorporating this type of learning into your home routine, check out
Growing an In-Sync Child.
