I love to use sensory bins that relate to my theme of the month. For the month of October 2022, I bought 4 field corn cobs with the kernels still on them and 4 small pumpkins/gourds. This relates well to my pumpkin/fall theme. The first week, children took the kernels off the corn cobs and we explored the pumpkins. Now that I have quite a bit of loose kernels in my tub, I have added some measuring cups so that we can scoop and dump the kernels.
I have found sensory tubs are a fantastic way to practice all sorts of skills in a real-life way.
First words: Kids might need help getting the lid off. Once they have tried and are ready for my help, I model the words, signs, and/or pictures for “help” or “open”. I also model words and actions such as “scoop” and “dump”.
Articulation: One kid commented that it was “stuck” so we worked on saying the /s/ sound in the word “stuck”. Two of the pumpkins have stripes so, once again, we practiced the /s/ sound in the word “stripes”.
Language: The pumpkins have been great to practice describing skills. Talking about how the corn and pumpkins feel in our hands is a great way to start helping kids learn about body awareness and sensations. We also talked about how they smell and why we do not want to eat this corn.
Following Directions: This is a great activity to learn to keep the corn “in” the tub and to put the kernels back “in” the tub when they escape.
Consequences: Sometimes kids learn the hard way that if too many kernels escape the tub on purpose, then we are all done playing with the sensory bin. We can try again during the next therapy session.
Stress Relief: Scooping and dumping the corn is a simple way to relax for a minute and relieve some stress.
Note: I have tried to add more items to sensory bins in the past. However, children have taken out the other items and preferred to simply scoop and dump the corn or dry oatmeal or beans. Simple really is better.
What would you put in a fall or pumpkin themed sensory bin?
