Happy Valentine's Day๐! Love๐ is in the air, and today, we are exploring โค๏ธ๏ธ love-themed sensory bin. I strongly believe that sensory play is extremely important for children since by manipulating different textures and fillers, children trigger various senses. In turn, by triggering sensory stimulation, they send multiple signals between neurons, which strengthens neurons connectivity and spurs neuroplasticity (the production of new connections between neurons and new neurons themselves), which in turn increases brains' agility. Also, the cleanup is minimal since everything is contained in a tub, tin, box, or any other container. (Offer a child a large enough mat/blanket which you can just shake off). We are using this dishpan to contain our sensory play.
What is ๐ in our sensory bin:
- white rice scented with lavender essential oil;
- dried rosemary from our garden;
- dried rose petals (from our wedding);
- red jingle bells;
- red pom-poms;
- a pair of dollsโค๏ธ๏ธ;
- L-O-V-E letters from this alphabet set;
- a heart-shape measuring spoon;
- and a spork tongs for transferring (buy here).
As a result of this fun sensorial activity, Adrian stimulated the following senses:
- ๐ The Sense of Sight: spelling out L-O-V-E,
- ๐๐ป Touch – rose petals, texture of the rice, "fluffy and soft" pom-poms,
- ๐๐ป Hearing – jingle bells,
- ๐๐ป Smell -white rice scented with lavender essential oil and dried rosemary,
- ๐ The sense of Taste was the only sense that was not stimulated today since the taste of lavender is not very appealing.
Thus, our โค๏ธ๏ธ love-themed sensory bin stimulated four out of the five of the main senses:๐๐ป tactile,๐ visual,๐๐ป olfactory, and๐๐ป auditory, leaving out only the sense of taste. However, the fun Adrian experienced was immeasurable!
For more on Valentine's activities see here "โค๏ธValentine's Inspired Activities for Kids" roundup. Or see here our last year's "Valentine's ๐ Inspired Shelfies."
For more on sensory bins, see here our Christmas-inspired Shredded Paper Sensory Bin with a Math twist post.
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