Monday, January 10, 2011

Sensory Bins Are Magic!

I've read a lot about sensory bins and how little ones learn so much through sensory exploration.  SO I made a sensory bin for my preschooler. He LOVES it!  I did it for the educational aspect.  If I had only known...it kept my 3yo occupied for an hour.  That's right, I said a whole HOUR.  It's the closet thing to real magic that I've ever heard of.


I filled a plastic bin with dry rice, plastic measuring cups, utensils, and some tiny wooden blocks.  I spent less than $5.00 at the dollar store on the contents and a vinyl tablecloth to contain any mess.  It was great watching him explore: sifting, pouring, and inspecting each item. We talked about how the rice felt, concepts like bigger & smaller, inside & outside, and full & empty.  It seems so simple but it's really a great learning opportunity.  It went over so well, I plan to do another and fill it with seasonal items.

9 comments:

  1. This looks like a fun sensory bin! I do therapy with kids under three, and they love the one sensory bin that I have. I really should make more for as much as they love it.

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  2. I have been messing with rice, beans and macaroni with my lil one...I need a BIN! Thank you! Stopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop. Blessings!

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  3. As a preschool teacher, we used to have rice bins, sand bins, water bins...kids love them!!

    Stopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop!!

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  4. I hadn't thought of using a bin. I set up a baby gate and let the kids play with measuring cups and un-popped popcorn. They love driving their hands through the kernels. And yes, it does keep them entertained for a long time. :)

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  5. That is truly an awesome idea! Thanks for joining in the Hip Homeschool Hop!

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  6. I'm seriously going to have to try this out!

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  7. Love this idea! I'm going to give it a try with my preschooler.

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  8. we've done a mixture of beans & macaroni (can be sorted too), with measuring cups, spoons. I pour it into a box (same proportions as your bin) and put it on the 'splat mat'. For storage the beans, etc go back in the gallon ziplock, which goes in the box.
    ~Julie :)

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  9. oh & use an egg carton for sorting (etc).
    ~Julie :)

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