Sensory play is such an important part of early childhood. Not only can it be vital in speech, language, and cognitive development, it also plays a key role in helping children organize their world and allows them to integrate the input to develop a healthy sensory system. That is why I am excited to part of the Sensory Play Blog Hop, hosted by my new favorite blog, Sensory Activities for Kids. My goal is to bring you simple sensory play by using the same material throughout the whole series. One material for 7 activities engaging 7 sensory systems. Today we will share tactile play ideas you can try today!
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Sensory System:
Tactile
Benefits of Tactile Sensory Play:
Children receive multitudes of information from the tactile system through the skin (from head to toe) to gauge everyday sensations such as temperature, vibration, pressure, itching and pain.
In order to master fine motor skills and the ability to discriminate between different textures, a child must first learn to develop of tolerance for touch. Tactile play enables to children to both learn to tolerate a variety of input as well as provide them with the sensory needs they need to organize their thoughts and neurological input.
Tactile play is a stepping stone for later skills such as identifying objects by touch alone, discriminating various textures, playing instruments, and even writing/typing without looking down.
Materials Needed:
* Large Tupperware Container
* Ice
Optional Materials
* Scoops
* Funnels
* Tongs
* Bowls
Instructions for this Simple Tactile Sensory Play
Setup for this idea is simple and easy. I like to put all the play materials beside the bin and see where my kids take it. You can set up a theme, a purpose or let the sensory bin be for free play.
Some children will love the sensation of the cold ice as a sensory bin filler, others will avoid it. Trying a variety of sensory fillers is extremely important in helping children develop their tactile sense.
At first, the boys (ages 6 and 8) simply scooped and poured. They let the water run over their hands and they chased the ice around the bin. Bones loved filling buckets and pretending he had a factory. I think at one point he called the ice his fish, and the bin his ocean. For many kids, tactile play is a great way for them to develop important speech and language skills. For the most part, Legoman used tongs to gather all the ice pieces and put them in containers.
Some children need to be given a directive for play, and Legoman is that type of kid. He needs a purpose.
So it came to no surprise when he made a game out of the ice bin and wanted everyone to play. The game is simple: Each player takes one piece of ice in their hands and rubs, squeezes and shakes their piece until the ice is melted. What a great game for a hot summer day!
I never know what sensory material will be right for Legoman (8) and was surprised to find out that he loved playing with the ice, but only through deep pressure.
An icy sensory bin is great for babies, too! Super B (1) loved playing in the bin just as much as the boys. The only issue you want to be cautious of with using an ice bin with a baby is the prolonged cold. I had to limit the time she could play with the ice to a few minutes at a time, but she was in love!
We had an empty bottle and lid that the boys filled for Super B so she should shake, turn and squeeze the ice without being so cold. This is a great option if you have a baby who still mouths everything.
Did you know sensory play could be so easy and so beneficial? It doesn’t have to take expensive materials and complex plans to make it work.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for more icy sensory play.
More Resources for Tactile Sensory Play
Tactile Input: Sensory Processing Explained | Lemon Lime Adventures
Sensory Processing: Tactile System | The Inspired Treehouse
Tactile Sensitivities with Sensory Processing Disorder | Golden Reflections Blog
A Handful of Fun: Why Sensory Play is Important for Preschoolers | Not Just Cute
40 Days of Sensory Bin Fillers | Little Bins for Little Hands
Follow Dayna :: Lemon Lime Adventures’s board Sensory Play on Pinterest.
Today over 10 more bloggers are sharing their ideas for tactile sensory play that you won’t wan to miss! Be sure to hop over to Sensory Activities for Kids to read all about them.
Princess Slime | Books | Ocean Sensory Bin | Mini Sensory Bins | Baby Play | 10 Sensory Bin Ideas
What is your favorite tactile sensory play idea? I would love to hear! Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribe by email. I can’t wait to hear your ideas.
This would especially be a great one on a hot summer’s day!
My kiddos LOVE playing with ice– especially the ice in their drinks at restaurants. Ha! They’d love this activity on a hot summer day.
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