Sensory Tables are great fun for children and they get to learn through hands-on experimenting. Changing the fillers in the sensory table every couple weeks will keep children’s attention and interest, plus it gives them something new to experiment with. Here is a list of ideas for filling your sensory table:
Popcorn |
Split Peas |
Colored Rice |
Water Beads |
Buttons |
Beans |
Pasta |
Pom Pom Balls |
Aquarium Rocks |
Colored Craft Sand |
Beads |
Bird Seed |
Packing Peanuts |
Marbles |
Cotton Balls |
A sensory table (or bin) gives children the opportunity to explore the world around them by experimenting, manipulating, observing and exploring. Sensory tables provide children with fine and gross motor skill development, hand-eye coordination, math skills, science skills, and communication skills. Because sensory play is mostly self-directed, it also helps children develop self-esteem.
Here are 5 reasons why sensory play is beneficial (thank you Homeschoolin’ Mama):
- Research shows that sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks.
- Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
- This type of play aids in developing and enhancing memory
- Sensory play is great for calming an anxious or frustrated child
- This helps children learn sensory attributes (hot, cold, sticky, dry)
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