Frog LifeCycle Sensory Bin

Easy to set up Frog LifeCycle Sensory bin with dyed chickpeas and felt for preschoolers and kindergartners to explore through play and learn about amphibians from a tadpole to the adult frog | Video Tutorial is Included.

From birth till about six years of age, children have a very sensorial relationship with their world. Anything that is perceived through senses goes directly into their brain! Thus, setting up simple yet inviting sensory play trays will allow for multiple sensory stimulations while promoting dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor control. Besides, this Frog LifeCycle sensory bin is easy to set up with materials you have around your home.

Benefits of a Thematic Approach for Kids

One of many benefits of a thematic approach is that it helps children make sense of what they are learning since content areas are integrated and not made to stand alone. Thus, a child can retain more information when lessons, rather than being presented in isolation, are presented as part of a whole.

Moreover, this method involves choosing a specific topic to explore and demonstrate using a variety of informational tools, materials, and resources. Thematic teaching is pivoted on the idea that children learn best through multi-sensorial holistic, real-life experiences.

Thus, thematic unit studies are an exciting way for little ones to learn about a particular animal group or to explore a specific subject up close through the senses. Montessori Zoology Unit studies utilize tactile materials and a hands-on approach to stimulate the senses and build cognitive skills.

Supplies

Below is the list of materials you will need to make a frog life cycle chickpea sensory play tray:

1. a tray (to hold the filler)
2. *sensory filler (dyed chickpeas)
3. actors (life cycle of a frog figurines)
4. tools (optional)
5. accessories (optional) ~ wooden slices, blue felt to represent water, seaweed, lily pads

**Be mindful if your little one is still mouthing things, then choose taste-safe filler since chickpeas are a choking hazard.

Frog LifeCycle Sensory Bin

Dyed Chickpeas Recipe

The recipe for dyeing chickpeas is identical to coloring rice. Download the PDF recipe below.

Simple yet inviting sensory play trays allow for multiple sensory stimulations while promoting dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor control. Moreover, thematic units help children develop a deeper understanding level by connecting to a particular topic by developing their critical thinking skills. That is, instead of teaching a skill in isolation, thematic units intertwine and weave together multiple skills, presentations, texts, genres, and so on.

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Frogs/ Amphibians Montessori Zoology Course

Frogs and amphibians inspired hands-on activities and printables for children ages 18 months + with the focus on preschoolers and kindergartners to promote experiential learning. Some cultural activities are suitable for lower elementary level. 

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Video Tutorial

How to Set Up a Sensory Tray | in a Nutshell

To set up effectively a sensory play tray, you will need:

A tray to define the space, contain the filler, and minimize the cleanup. (You can also lay a large mat or even a bed sheet under your tray to catch the spills). You can use a shoebox, a gardening tray, an under-the-bed container, a deep baking dish, a serving platter, a utensil organizer, or any other tray/tub/container you have. It is imperative to define the space for the child to work within, especially with sensory play, which could be messy. 

Filler. As a sensory filler, you can use water, sand, soil, salt/sugar, crushed ice, frozen ice blocks/cubes, shredded paper, gravel, cut straws, grass, and beads. Also, nature finds moss, leaves, flowers, stones, sticks, bark, and shells. Moreover, consider toys: wooden blocks, LEGO, and loose wooden items. When food is not scarce, or it is otherwise not edible: look inside your cupboard for dyed rice/pasta, grains, beans, corn, etc. Also, play dough, oobleck, foam, ‘chocolate mud,’ etc.

For children ages, two and older, use players/actors. Consider characters, animals, vehicles, LEGO figurines, etc. It is essential to pick one one depending on your child’s interests. Actors give purpose to the activity.

For children ages, two and older,offer tools that will foster concentration, fine motor control and will set your sensory play in motion. For example, tongs, droppers, scoops, spoons, funnel, ice cube tray, child-sized scissors, tweezers, measuring cups, recycled egg cartons, shallow bowls/cups, etc.

Have you tried setting up the Frog LifeCycle Sensory Bin? Leave a comment if you did!

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♡ Enriching the Mind one Heart at a time ♡