Budget Sensory Ideas

Here are two sheets I have devised to support you in creating sensory spaces on a budget/ movable. Sensory environment can be really rewarding/ relaxing/ engaging for all children.

Cardboard Play House, with lights

 There was a spare big empty box, so..... A little house making project for 14 month old.

Inside battery operated lights poked in and a christmas light. Initially not a hit as she was rather scared of going inside (but after cutting another door so she see all the way through cue lots of crawling through!! And flap in the door become a great letter box for posting favourite lotto cards through!

More Sensory Play Doughs

In search of ideas for cool "snake" sensory play recipes I remembered this recipe with cornflour (cornstarch) and liquid soap, I used a cheap hand wash but  I'm pretty sure shampoo or bubble bath will work too and you could use scent to relate to theme etc.

It's an amazing consistency a lot more solid than cornflour and water but can also go more liquid when you warm in hands and hold like bottom right picture or pull between two hands (kind of bubble gum ish)

I then posted this on a Facebook group "Parent Toddler Groups Together" and Nicci Eyles told me of another great cornflour dough "Ice Cream" dough and WOW!!! It actually looks like real ice-cream when you scoop! This one is made with cornflour and hair conditioner.

 As with the above dough I'd suggest just keep adding the liquid until it's an appropriate texture. 

Parachute Play

I love playing with the parachute with young children, and have found it a great way to focus children's singing. I have compiled a collection of song based activities I have used, mostly with very young children with Special needs but will be useful for most preschool groups (Or homes with a child's blanket). I have uploaded to Scribd and it can be purchased for a very reasonable price

http://www.scribd.com/doc/115979565/Parachute-Play

Fun Stuff

The "stuff" in the background seems to have been an interest to some. The toys are marketed for children with special needs, and have "special" prices to match!!! But they are great resources despite the price, and are suitable for all children but have the durability to stand up to some major use. I don't know where they are available from in other countries, but in England they are available from Nes Arnold.

The Tubbie is available here and seems to be a hit with children of all ages (and adults) the only problem with this is if the wrong size balls or toys get posted accidentally it is a major job to remove them.

The mirror Chimeabout is also a rather fun resource and is particularly suitable for babies and individuals with SEN, but I admit to enjoying watching this spin, and then stop especially with a torch beam aimed on the mirrors an instant light show around the room! I would defiantly buy again despite the price, available here!

Peg Posting

I have used this activity with both babies (dolly pegs), toddlers and with children on the autistic spectrum. It's a fairly popular activity and ties in a popular schemas that manifest in posting, starting off with the dolly pegs and eventually moving on to pinch pegs. You can obviously make the hole cut into the tin much smaller for individual needs, in fact I have a range of lids cut out so this can be used for various children with out the need of taking up storage space of more tins.

It is a particularly good activity in a TEACCH workstation format, as it so clearly shows the the activity is finished and is quite motivating with the loud bang as the peg drops into the tin. When I have used it in the workstation format I have usually velcroed the tin and box together, to make it one unit. I have also progressed to a lipped circular food storage container necessitating the need for the child to actually opening the peg to remove the peg (with the box it can can just be pulled off.