Sensory Bins: Where do I start?

From toddlers to middle schoolers, sensory bins are a fun and easy way to incorporate play into your home and therapy sessions! Sensory bins provide extensive opportunities to target a variety of goals including language skills, fine motor skills, sensory exploration, social skills, creativity, and independent play. Most items in a sensory bin can be found at your local dollar store or even already in your home! Here are some tips for getting started!

1. Create a boundary for the bin: By giving your child specific boundaries, such as a table or blanket, you will encourage skills such as following directions as well as keeping clean up simple.
2. Choose a variety of textures and sizes: Different sized items can open opportunities for language learning (big vs. little) as well as targeting motor skills. Choosing a variety of textures from squishy to rough can provide a diverse sensory experience for your child. Some of my favorite materials include dry rice/beans, pom poms, plastic animals, kinetic sand, and magnets!
3. Don't be afraid to get messy: Sometimes the most fun a child can have is by getting messy! Some of my favorite messy sensory boxes include foaming shaving cream, Orbeez, slime, or water!
4. Keep it simple: Sensory bins don't need to be expensive or complicated! Items from around your home can target learning objectives as well as provide sensory opportunities. Items like water, spoons, and cups can be a great start for your child to learn with. These items are inexpensive and can develop vocabulary and language skills while they play! For a fun twist on water, add some food coloring to incorporate color learning.
5. Model language: According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, play can be some of the most beneficial time to incorporate learning for your child. An easy way to incorporate language development during sensory bin activities is by modeling language. Phrases such as "The slime is sticky!" or "Fill up the cup!" encourage phrase expansion as well as vocabulary development. To target specific vocabulary, print pictures of common objects your child is interested in such as vehicles, toys, or dinosaurs and add them into the bin.

Themed sensory boxes are also a fun way to provide variety for your child. Some theme ideas include: farm animals, wild animals, seasons/holidays, colors, alphabet, ocean/beach, and space! Remember above all to have fun and enjoy your time exploring the senses!

Kaitlyn Davis, M.S., CF-SLP

References:

https://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/activities-to-encourage-speech-and-language-development/?srsltid=AfmBOopE0dVR05J_bFGb61rucVqS3tjlrEf71IUcycgMNb980B5ldFwJ