Friday, March 15, 2013

Sensory Activity: March Sensory Bin

I was a little late in getting our sensory bin switched around this month. In a perfect world, I would have done it about a two weeks ago before we left for a family vacation. But alas, I ran out of time. I was planning on actually doing two bins this month, St. Patrick's Day AND Easter. But I may have to wait and do an Easter one next year.

I think this month's bin is particularly bright and fun! And Kellan really seemed to enjoy investigating it today.
I tried to make it look like a little leprechaun made tracks and left the pot of gold. Of course, this was mostly to amuse myself because the whole idea was lost on Kellan. He doesn't know what a leprechaun is, let alone that he would leave a pot of gold. ;-)
This month's bin has green sand that I purchased from Michael's. It's the same kind of sand you use in sand art. Very fine and smooth! You can get it in an array of colors. Unfortunately, they only sell larger sizes in white. So I had to buy three smaller containers of it to fill the bottom of our bin. St. Patrick's stuff was 50% off too so I snagged the cookie cutter and glitter clovers. I had the transculent clovers from my bin last year. And the pot of gold was actually just sitting loose on the top of the St. Patrick's display. I couldn't figure out what it had been a part of and told the cashier I would like it, even though I didn't know how much it was or what it was part of. I think she probably thought I was nuts and she just gave it to me. ;-)
I also pulled out our green stacking pots and scoop and pour set from the Mama May I sets I got Kellan for Christmas. This is a PERFECT use for them! Wait till you see how he explored with them!
The stacking pots are part of this gorgeous set made by Jessica at Mama May I. And here's the link to her other scoop and pour set. If you'd like a little more information about this handmade toy shop, I wrote a review last November.
Kellan had great fun discovering the funnel and holes in the pots. He poured the sand in and watched it sift out over and over again.
 I love the concentration in the photo above. He was so intent on watching the sand fall.
 Can't you just see his brain working, and the learning and investigating going on! ;-)
Hope you all have a fun St. Patrick's Day this weekend! I'll leave you with a little Irish blessing: 
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

2 comments:

  1. Hi there! Came across your amazing and inspiring blog and when I got to reading it I wondered if you've read With the Light before? It is a manga written by Keiko Tobe and is all about raising an autistic child. The reason I mention it is just that there are lots of tools and ideas, particularly sensory ones, in there. It also lightly delves into children with other problems like Learning Disabilities and Asbergers Syndrome. It's easy to read if you can manage manga and is a very inspiring and powerful read. Even made me tear up in places. In any case i hope you don't mind me mentioning it, I just thought you may enjoy reading it. :)
    B xxx

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    1. First of all, LOVE your "name". ;-) Thank you so much for your comment. I will definitely check out With the Light. Sounds really interesting. I have read a few graphic novels, but I must admit, I'm not sure what the difference is between manga, anime, and graphic novels. I definitely don't mind you mentioning it. My kids have not been diagnosed with autism, but two of the three definitely have sensory processing and language processing issues which is why I focus so much on sensory activities.

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