As a therapist, I'm a geek for any activity that engages the senses aka "sensory system" as we OTs like to call it! We discover our world around us through our senses (touch, taste/smell, proprioception (where our body is in space), vestibular system (understanding where our body is when we are moving through space), and hearing. Today I'll be talking about sensory bins for your toddler, and the benefits to using them!
Sensory bins are a fantastic activity for your toddler for many reasons, they are a fun and engaging activity, and also help various areas of development to include fine motor skills, the sensory system, cognitive skills, and life skills.
-Exploration of different tactile sensations through new textures and visual stimulation.
-Learn practical skills of scooping and pouring to/from containers, as well as stirring.
-Developing skills like figure ground visual discrimination (finding items hidden).
-Learning about colors and shapes.
-Learning the difference between light and heavy.
-Learning responsibility through cleaning up and putting items away.
-Promote focus and attention to the activity through engaging the senses.
-Promote turn-taking to scoop items, and sharing after finding buried treasures.
-Promote learning of beginning math concepts (more and less, empty and full).
-Encourages development of fine motor skills as your child picks up, pinches, grabs, and manipulates the items in the sensory bin
Sensory Bins also have benefits for parents and caregivers! They are an easy, inexpensive, versatile, and simple activity to engage your little one when you are stuck inside or need a quick go-to! They are also a great way to explore to mess in a confined area for easier cleanup!
But what can you put in them? Oh, so so many things! Right now in my house we have 3 bins in our rotation-
1 bin is for soft things (cotton balls, feathers, faux flower petals, large and small pom poms)
1 bin is for coarse things (red beans, various-sized plastic animals and figures)
1 bin for messy things (Kinetic sand, sand toys, scoopers, and small plastic items).
Here are more ideas for things you can fill your sensory bins with:
Food items
Corn
Colored rice
Colored pasta
Oats
Black, red, or white beans
Non-food items
Water beads
Play-doh
Bingo chips, checkers
Shredded paper
Bird seed
Water with dish soap for bubbles
Buttons
Moon sand
Kinetic sand
Easter grass
Packing peanuts
Water and soap for making bubbles
Shaving cream
As I was making these just for my daughter I didn't worry as much about expense, but if you are wanting to make for more than one child (for example an entire classroom), the rice or beans will be the least expensive option. We bought many of our items from the dollar store which cut down the cost as well, and I ended up taking out some items as I didn't want the bins to be overfilled with items.
The bins: I went with these Hefty 18 gallon bins(I liked that these were deeper for scooping and minimizing the spillage of beans and kinetic sand from the bin).
Ideas for play: In addition to scooping and dumping, there are SO many fun games you can play with your little one, here are some ideas for you-
Matching similar or exact items with one another, or sorting by color/shape
Sitting in a chair to dip your child's feet into the bin for an added sensory experience on their toes/feet!
Finding certain items hidden, and then hiding them again
Counting how many scoops to hide their toys, hands, or feet in the bin
**We all have sensory differences, sometimes these impact our day-to-day lives and warrant additional attention and intervention. For children with these types of sensory differences, a sensory bin can be an overwhelming experience. Starting with items and textures your child already tolerates and is familiar with is a great way to introduce the activity, with gradually incorporating new items or a new bin to explore later on. When in doubt, consult with your pediatrician to see if an evaluation from an occupational therapist may be of benefit for your child for an individualized approach to your child's needs!
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Enjoy your little one, and get creative!
-Katie the OT Mom
|Katie is a Mom and pediatric occupational therapist with experience working with ages birth through 18 years old in the outpatient and school settings. She currently practices in her local school district and when not blogging or creating content, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two golden doodles.|