Discovering Sensory Play at Home with Everyday Objects
July 9, 2024
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Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body's senses become overstimulated by external stimuli. For individuals affected, this
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Author: DrSensory Team
July 9, 2024
In today’s times, children resort to screens for easy learning. However, it is important to remember that children learn best from their environment through their senses – touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. We hope some of these ideas will inspire you to create a fun learning environment at home for your children using simple items you likely already have at home!
Sensory play is more than just fun for children – it is a crucial part of their development. It helps build neural connections that are the foundation for a wide range of skills, including but not limited to:
Flour Drawing: Spread flour on a tray to create a tactile drawing board. Children can use their fingers to draw shapes, letters, or just explore the texture.
Colored Rice: By mixing a little food coloring and vinegar with rice, you create a fun and visually stimulating play material that children can pour, sort, and scoop.
Macaroni: Using macaroni, children can practice threading, creating necklaces or other decorations that enhance fine motor skills. Dying the macaroni different colors adds an extra layer of visual and tactile exploration.
Cereal: With its various shapes, sizes, and textures, cereal can be used in sensory bins or as a tool for creating art. It is especially a good option for younger children who might be tempted to put materials in their mouths as it is safe to eat! Sorting cereals by color or shape provides a fun and educational activity that engages both sensory and cognitive skills.
Jell-O: The unique texture of jell-o makes it great for sensory exploration! Children can play with it directly or you can hide small toys inside for a ‘treasure hunt’.
Center Citrus Trails: Creating scented trails with citrus peels stimulates the sense of smell, linking it to spatial understanding and memory. You can even try this with a blindfold! Supervised, of course.
Homemade Playdough: With just a few kitchen ingredients, you can make play dough that can be customized with different colors, scents, or added textures like glitter or beads.
Baking Soda Experiments: Mixing baking soda with vinegar creates and exciting fizzing reaction, offering a visual and auditory experience – plus a basic chemistry lesson!
Soap Carving: Bars of soap can be used for fine motor skill practice through carving, and the pieces can be used for sensory bins or storytelling.
Muffin Tin Textures: Fill the compartments of a muffin tin with materials of various textures for a simple way to explore differences in feel.
Outdoor Play: Activities like digging in sand or soil, playing with water, and exploring natural textures (leaves, sticks, stones) allows children to learn the world around them. It allows children to develop critical thinking, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
Even though this all seems like a mess waiting to happen, sensory play is absolutely beneficial! It turns everyday moments into opportunities for development and discovery. By looking at household items through a lens of play, parents and teachers can help children build their understanding of the world, encourage creativity, and make lasting memories.
You don’t need much to create a sensory-rich environment at home. It’s all about making the most of what you have, thinking creatively, and presenting your children with opportunities to explore their senses. It is through simple activities such as these that children learn about their world and begin to develop their own love for discovery and learning. While your children are young, HAVE FUN! Make the messes – they can always be cleaned up.
Separation anxiety can feel overwhelming—for both children and parents. For families of children with special needs, the challenges can become
Separation anxiety can be tough on any child, but for children with special needs, it often goes hand in hand
Picture this scene: You’ve finally gotten your baby into a comfortable sleep routine. Nights are restful, naps are scheduled, and
Sleep regressions can feel like an uphill battle for parents. One moment your baby is sleeping soundly, and the next,
Sleep regressions are a temporary yet challenging phase many parents encounter as their babies and toddlers grow. Understanding the approximate
Separation anxiety can feel overwhelming—for both children and parents. For families of children with special needs, the challenges can become
Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) has emerged as a powerful tool for children and adults facing sensory processing difficulties. Often seen
Sensory diets can be powerful tools for supporting children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). But what exactly is a sensory
Why does my child cover their ears at birthday parties? Why do the seams on socks cause meltdowns, or loud
How are anxiety and sensory processing challenges related, especially in children? Many parents and professionals notice that children with Sensory
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that often manifests in early childhood. For parents, recognizing the signs of
Sensory play is much more than just fun—it’s a powerful tool for fostering your child’s development across multiple domains. From
Sensory play is an unparalleled tool in fostering childhood development. By engaging the senses—be it touch, sight, hearing, smell, taste,
The neurological and psychological study of autism spectrum conditions has evolved significantly over the decades, and with it, so have
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) affects the way children interpret and respond to sensory information from the world around them. Unlike
When most people think about the senses, the traditional five often come to mind: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.
Sensory processing disorder (SPD) often flies under the radar, yet it plays a crucial role in understanding the complexities of
Separation anxiety can feel overwhelming—for both children and parents. For families of children with special needs, the challenges can become
Supporting kids with ADHD takes more than reminders and patience. For parents and educators, understanding ADHD and providing the right
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) are two conditions frequently discussed in pediatric development and mental
Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body's senses become overstimulated by external stimuli. For individuals affected, this
Raising a child with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) presents unique challenges, requiring patience, understanding, and adaptability. However, with the right strategies
Sensory diets are systematic and individualized strategies that help modify or meet sensory needs, particularly benefiting children and adults with
25 Sensory Activities and Exercises for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD If your child has Sensory Processing Disorder
How Sensory Toys Help with ADHD: A Detailed Guide If you are a parent of a child with ADHD or
Managing Toddler ADHD Symptoms: A Parent’s Guide ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in toddlers can present a unique set of
Autism and Sensory Disorders: Therapeutic Impact of Sensory Toys As a parent or caregiver of a child with Autism Spectrum
Uniting Communities: Online Support and Resources for Autism, SPD, and ADHD Navigating neurodiversity can be a complex and sometimes isolating
Have you or a loved one received a diagnosis and now are having a long wait time to find answers
Separation anxiety can feel overwhelming—for both children and parents. For families of children with special needs, the challenges can become
Separation anxiety can be tough on any child, but for children with special needs, it often goes hand in hand
Sensory processing disorder (SPD) often flies under the radar, yet it plays a crucial role in understanding the complexities of
Sensory overload occurs when one or more of the body's senses become overstimulated by external stimuli. For individuals affected, this
Sensory diets are systematic and individualized strategies that help modify or meet sensory needs, particularly benefiting children and adults with
“It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a child with autism to raise the consciousness of the
Dealing with autism meltdowns can be a challenging experience for caregivers, teachers, and those on the spectrum alike. A meltdown
Understanding Autism Regression in Children What is Autism Regression? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is marked by a range of symptoms
Autism and Sensory Disorders: Therapeutic Impact of Sensory Toys As a parent or caregiver of a child with Autism Spectrum
How Sensory Toys Facilitate Learning for Children with Autism Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 54 children in
Uniting Communities: Online Support and Resources for Autism, SPD, and ADHD Navigating neurodiversity can be a complex and sometimes isolating
Have you or a loved one received a diagnosis and now are having a long wait time to find answers
Separation anxiety can feel overwhelming—for both children and parents. For families of children with special needs, the challenges can become
Separation anxiety can be tough on any child, but for children with special needs, it often goes hand in hand
Picture this scene: You’ve finally gotten your baby into a comfortable sleep routine. Nights are restful, naps are scheduled, and
Sleep regressions can feel like an uphill battle for parents. One moment your baby is sleeping soundly, and the next,
Sleep regressions are a temporary yet challenging phase many parents encounter as their babies and toddlers grow. Understanding the approximate
Sleep regressions. The phrase alone can strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned parents. If your baby
Sleep regressions can feel like a relentless obstacle to parents striving for a peaceful night's rest. But you're not alone,
Supporting kids with ADHD takes more than reminders and patience. For parents and educators, understanding ADHD and providing the right
Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) has emerged as a powerful tool for children and adults facing sensory processing difficulties. Often seen
Sensory diets can be powerful tools for supporting children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). But what exactly is a sensory
Why does my child cover their ears at birthday parties? Why do the seams on socks cause meltdowns, or loud
How are anxiety and sensory processing challenges related, especially in children? Many parents and professionals notice that children with Sensory
Separation anxiety can feel overwhelming—for both children and parents. For families of children with special needs, the challenges can become
Picture this scene: You’ve finally gotten your baby into a comfortable sleep routine. Nights are restful, naps are scheduled, and
Sleep regressions can feel like an uphill battle for parents. One moment your baby is sleeping soundly, and the next,
Sleep regressions are a temporary yet challenging phase many parents encounter as their babies and toddlers grow. Understanding the approximate
Sleep regressions. The phrase alone can strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned parents. If your baby
Sleep regressions can feel like a relentless obstacle to parents striving for a peaceful night's rest. But you're not alone,
Supporting kids with ADHD takes more than reminders and patience. For parents and educators, understanding ADHD and providing the right
Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) has emerged as a powerful tool for children and adults facing sensory processing difficulties. Often seen
Sensory diets can be powerful tools for supporting children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). But what exactly is a sensory
Why does my child cover their ears at birthday parties? Why do the seams on socks cause meltdowns, or loud
How are anxiety and sensory processing challenges related, especially in children? Many parents and professionals notice that children with Sensory
Anxiety is a natural emotion, but when it begins to interfere with a child’s everyday activities, it becomes a cause
Picture this scene: You’ve finally gotten your baby into a comfortable sleep routine. Nights are restful, naps are scheduled, and
Sleep regressions can feel like an uphill battle for parents. One moment your baby is sleeping soundly, and the next,
Sleep regressions are a temporary yet challenging phase many parents encounter as their babies and toddlers grow. Understanding the approximate
Sleep regressions. The phrase alone can strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned parents. If your baby
Sleep regressions can feel like a relentless obstacle to parents striving for a peaceful night's rest. But you're not alone,
Supporting kids with ADHD takes more than reminders and patience. For parents and educators, understanding ADHD and providing the right
Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) has emerged as a powerful tool for children and adults facing sensory processing difficulties. Often seen
Sensory diets can be powerful tools for supporting children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). But what exactly is a sensory
Why does my child cover their ears at birthday parties? Why do the seams on socks cause meltdowns, or loud
How are anxiety and sensory processing challenges related, especially in children? Many parents and professionals notice that children with Sensory
Anxiety is a natural emotion, but when it begins to interfere with a child’s everyday activities, it becomes a cause
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that often manifests in early childhood. For parents, recognizing the signs of
Because staying in the loop is important
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