“It takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synaptic pathway in the brain, unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10 – 20 repetitions.”

-Dr Karyn Purvis

Sensory play is a great way for children to learn through play. A lot of children seek sensory input. Other children avoid sensory input. Children who seek sensory input will play in the dirt, smell flowers, enjoy the way the wind feels, touch and feel leaves, etc. At meals, sensory seekers will smell their food, take a little taste, inspect their food, and maybe play with it like smushing it or deconstructing it.

When children are seeking sensory input, they are learning about their environment.

Sensory bins are a wonderful and inexpensive way to incorporate different learning skills while providing sensory input. This can help make learning fun and extend your child’s ability to stay on task longer.

Kinetic Sand is great for sensory bins. Kids love the way it feels, it comes in different colors and it is easy to hide things in it like toy cars, puzzle pieces, doll accessories, etc. This can work on OT and Speech at the same time! Your child can request or comment on what they see to have a fun conversation that interests them while getting their sensory needs met.

Another great place to get sensory materials is dollar stores. You can get materials to teach seasons and holidays with things like leaves, fake snow, pine cones, holiday decorations, and more!

Math skills- Sensory bins are a great way to teach measuring with measuring spoons and cups, scale, more and less, counting, and sorting, there are so many possibilities.