What are sensory activities and sensory play?
JOY IS IN THE JOURNEY….
“It’s not about the product, it’s about the process! And that’s what sensory bins and sensory play allows – how children manipulate and use the materials are more important than what they make.”-Ann Marie Aguila Pizano explains
Sensory processing refers to the way our nervous system receives messages through our senses. We retain more information when our senses are engage.
Sensory play cultivates learning.
Providing children with a rich sensory environment and open-ended activities where they can engage their senses promotes cognitive skills like problem solving, decision making, language skills, and allows children to be in control of their actions and experiences.
Sensory play provides opportunities for children to learn cooperation and collaboration, and gain an appreciation of other people’s perspective.
Sensory play is an open-invitation for hands-on exploration and creativity…..
“Sensory” – simple activities that engage the senses:
SIGHT – playing by candlelight; playing flash-light tag, creating shadow puppets, wearing sunglasses
HEARING – listening to different types of music, and experimenting with volume; playing musical chairs, singing songs
SMELL – spending time outdoors and going on a “smelly walk” experiencing different smells like wet grass, flowers, the salt-air by the ocean
TOUCH – play games that require them to use their muscles : jumping, tug-of-war; tossing and catching games
TASTE – experiencing different textures like crunchy and chewy, and comparing and contrasting different flavors like salty and sweet, Encourage children to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and calcium rich foods – it will enhance their health and their SENSES!
MAKE PLAY SNOW WITH TWO INGREDIENTS!
Kids love being in the snow. During the winter season my girls hope for a snow day so they can get outside and play in the snow and build a snowman. It doesn’t always snow here on Long Island but, it doesn’t mean we can’t have fun indoors playing with “snow”. Want to build a…
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Spooky Science for Kids
Halloween is right around the corner here is a fun science and sensory activity to do with your little ones inspired by Halloween! Spooky expanding ghost experiment using a balloon, baking soda and vinegar. Kids drop the baking soda into the vinegar filled water bottle and watch the magic happen. Blowing up a Balloon with…
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Bubble Snakes
It is Make Your Own Fun Monday and we are having fun with Bubbles. Empty out the plastic water bottles in your recycle bin and turn them into your inexpensive warm weather fun! All you need is: Empty Water Bottle Sock Rubber Band Scissors and of course Bubbles Cut the bottom of the water bottle…
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Valentine’s Day Fun for Kids (featured on News 12 Long Island)
We have some really fun and cute ideas to enjoy Valentine’s Day with the kids. Whether you are looking for a cute gift idea, activity or a treat we have fun ways to get crafty. News 12’s Elizabeth Hashagen and Elisa DiStefano met with me, Anne Caminiti to talk Valentine’s Day themed crafts to do…
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Playdough Turkeys
These playdough turkeys are perfect for kids of all ages to enjoy in the classroom or at home. Make your own playdough with our amazingly simple, amazing smelling and no cooking required recipe. Then, use that Pumpkin Pie Spice Playdough to make fun Turkeys with the kiddos in your life. You can use the playdough…
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Bubble Pop Stomp Painting
Bubble Pop + Your Kids Feet + Washable Paint + Duct Tape + Poster Board = Bubble Pop Stomp Painting So much sensory and creative fun with Bubble Pop wrapped feet! Your kids will love every second of this. Just wrap your favorite design on your child’s feet. Put some washable paint in a paper…
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DIY Pumpkin Playdough
I love to use items I already have in my pantry to make something the kids can play with and that will be a great sensory activity. It is Fall and we love the smell of pumpkin. I tried a few recipes and this recipe worked best to make a pumpkin play dough. Best thing…
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Play Visions Sensory Challenge
We had the opportunity to take part in the Play Visions Sensory Challenge! We got to feel and play with Floof, Sands Alive and Play Dirt and we truly loved all of these sensory compounds. They are all very different and have a great amount of play to them all. But, if we had to…
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DIY- Sensory Bottle Fun
Make your own sensory bottles for a fun DIY activity! This can also serve as a relaxing activity or serve as a visual “anchor” in order to bring a child’s focus into one place. It has a very calming effect to it, too. What You Will Need: Excited kids to help you make them and Full Water bottle (…
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Manimo – weighted plush animal
Manimo weighted animals are loving companion pets! They are children’s comforting companion and valuable partners for parents. Manimo is the weighted plush animal that helps focus and calm. These weighted animals are recommended for all children, but were designed specifically for children with ADD, ADHD, ASD, anxiety or other disorders. “Providing numerous benefits, manimo…
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Classroom Fun for Easter- News 12
If you are having an Easter Party in your classroom we have some fun ideas! Elizabeth Hashagen and Anne Caminiti are having fun making cute Easter themed Peep Bunny Cars, Thumbprint Decorated Eggs and cute snacks for your classroom party in this News 12 segment. 1. Peep Bunny Cars Want a fun Easter dessert idea…
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Fun Easter Treats for the Kids- News 12
Do you have kids at your dessert table this Easter? Whether it is at home or in the classroom we have you covered. Elizabeth Hashagen and Anne Caminiti have fun eating and preparing edible festive treats for your next Easter party with the kids. Peep Smores You have the Graham, you have the chocolate and…
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ALEX Spa Color Shift Ombré Nails
ALEX Spa Color Shift Ombré Nails are the girls favorite new polish! Why? Because when their body temperature changes or we wash our hands the colors of our nails change and that is AWESOME! “ALEX Spa Color Shift Ombré Nails changes your nail color as your body temperature changes. Fun on really cold or really…
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Watercolor Painting on Ice!
We painted ice blocks with watercolor paints and the result is beautiful! This can be a very therapeutic and relaxing art activity to do with your kids. One of my favorites to do before bed. Obviously, the ice will melt make sure the dish you do this activity in is deep enough that the melted…
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Paper Mache Easter Eggs
It is a Paper Mache crafty kind of day! How colorful and beautiful are these eggs? I am obsessed with paper mache because it is so inexpensive and fun to make with your kids. Be sure to cover the area you are working with this is a messy job. Fun and messy : ) It…
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Egg Coloring with Science!
When you combine Baking Soda + Food Dye + Vinegar the egg coloring result is not only fun but, beautiful too! Science takes over this egg dyeing technique! Now, this is an exciting way to dye your eggs with some BUBBLING and FIZZING Fun! WHAT YOU NEED: Baking Soda Vinegar Food Coloring Hard Boiled Eggs…
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Wacky Links™
Wacky Links™ is an amazing toy that allows your child to create whatever comes to mind! We love that you can build so many things and wear what you create, too! The possibilities are endless, kids and adults will enjoy this toy. Great for kids ages 3 and up (it does contain small parts) We…
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DIY Squishy Stress Balls
Everyone gets stressed even our kids. It is very common to see both kids and adults struggle with anxiety. “Releasing tension with a stress ball can be very calming and therapeutic”, says Erika Burdick. Try this easy DIY stress ball and watch the stress disappear. Play Doh requires pressure and manipulation, which is…
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Learn what your body is saying to you
As parents we all know that when hunger strikes, a tantrum can follow quickly! Teach kids to get in tune with their body and learn cues from what their body is telling them. Erika explains, “There are lots of cues from your heart beat to temperature to hunger and thirst. It is important we listen…
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News 12- Dinosaur Fun
Kids of all ages and adults love dinosaurs! These sensory activities will keep the kids busy and happy for hours. These activities are fun to make for a rainy day or to use when playing outside. DIY DIRT DINO EGGS RAWRRRRRRRRRRR… have kids break open these dinosaur eggs made from mud, sand, water, salt and…
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