DIY Sensory Table!

DIY sensory table! You don't need a real sensory table to actually provide great sensory experiences for your kiddos! Here's a couple of ways Cassie, LCC Crib Teacher, improvised in her house (photos from snow days past). Any type of shallow tub or container works great. And what a great way to use this freshly fallen snow 😜

You can fill it with water, snow, sand, beans, corn kernels, rice, etc. Add measuring cups, spoons, small plastic animals, cars, diggers, tractors, water colors (just mix water and food coloring), little people...there are endless options!

Cassie chose a space that had a water resistant surface such as the kitchen counter/bar if you have one or a tiled/wood area of flooring. If you are worried about the mess, lay down a bedsheet or a few towels for an easy clean up. Sensory tables are messy, but that's the whole point! 😄

Play-Based Learning at Home

These are some great tips about play-based learning at home with your toddler and preschooler (and really can apply to older kids too): https://parentingfromtheheartblog.com/facilitate-play-based-learning-at-home/

LCC's famous cooked playdough recipe

Here is one of the Leelanau Children’s Centers favorite recipes for homemade playdough. We have found through years of experience that the cooking method provides a better playdough than the non-cooking method. This is one of our go to materials that we have available every day for our children. Obviously if there is an illness or children sneeze or cough on it we throw it away and make a new batch!

We store it in an airtight container or large ziplock bag. You can play with it as is or you can add many household materials such as pizza cutters, rolling pins, small plates and bowls, pine cones, Popsicle sticks…the possibilities are really endless with playdough! This is a cheap and easy activity that you can do with your child that helps build so many of their developmental domains such as language, fine motor, cognitive, and scientific skills!

COOKED PLAYDOUGH
1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 c. water
2 tbsp. oil
1 tsp. food coloring

Combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt and 2 teaspoons cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Gradually stir in 1 cup water mixed with 2 tablespoons oil and 1 teaspoon food coloring. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat, cool, and knead until smooth on wax paper. Store in an airtight container. We often add essential oils like lavender or mint to add a sensory bonus!