Ways to Use Sensory Bins in Classroom

Sensory bins literally saved my life 2 years ago when I was at home during the pandemic. I had my baby 2/13/2020 and did not prepare to be a stay at home mom to my 2 year old and newborn. I used sensory bins as a learning tool with my preschoolers when I taught years ago. I thought I could use sensory bins to keep my 2 year old busy while I care for the baby. I had no idea how sensory bins would become a HUGE part in our lives. I began to see positive changes in my son's attention span and self control.

This article was the first thing on my mind this morning so I decided to write these ideas down and share them with you. I am such a fan of sensory play ideas as I've seen a huge transformation in both of my children. My oldest son was in daycare at 6 weeks. However, the pandemic hit when I was on Maternity leave and I decided to keep both of my little ones at home. The childcare teachers at the daycare did a wonderful job of helping my oldest learn to feed himself. It was all up to me to teach my baby how to use a spoon and I was struggling lol. 

Here are my top ten ways  that sensory bins save the day in and out of the classroom. 

1- assessment
2- differentiated learning
3- practical life skills
4- lengths attention span
5- language development
6- problem solving
7- get insights into your child- what’s on their mind
8- works on impulsivity and self control
9- cooperation
10- creativity

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Sensory Play Ideas

What is Sensory Play and Why is it so Important? Sensory/Messy play occurs when your child is interacting with tactile items that stimulate any of their five senses ( hearing, touch, smell, taste, sight). Sensory play engages your child’s senses which helps them explore and learn about the world. Sensory play builds nerve connections in your child’s neural pathways which develops their cognitive thinking skills. Sensory play allows your child to use their imagination and develop their own creativity as well as self expression. Below you will find some sensory activities as well as recipes. Adult supervision is always required for any activity. The sensory items below are suitable for children ages 2 and up. However, mamas always know best! Squishy Sensory Bags Ingredients 1 Cup Flour 6 tablespoons water Food coloring Zip lock bags Duct tape (to secure bags) Instructions Mix until all blended Put in ziploc and remove air bubbles by flattening...

Preschool Transition Tips and Songs

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Magic Milk Experiment and Painting

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