Feature Friday

Tactile Inflatable Cushions

Have you ever had a student who just couldn’t seem to sit still no matter what? Then try these new tactile cushions from Fun and Function. Children who have the wiggles can easily find their place with Tactile Inflatable Cushions! Wonderful for balance and posture. Increase or decrease the air for the perfect seating arrangement. Features a smooth surface on one side and smooth slightly raised “bumps” on the other. The Tactile Inflatable Cushion is an ideal choice for children with sensory processing and focus challenges as it allows just the right amount of movement without leaving their chair. Movement can create a filter from over stimulation and encourage focused attention. So why sit still when you can move and learn!

The cushions come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They are made of a very thick, durable vinyl material. The cost is $24.99.

Consumers testify that they really work! Yes, can you believe it? Something that really does what it says it does, how cool is that? Second, you may want to purchase more than one cushion. If possible, have several and make sure the children who really need them get them, but rotate the other cushions among the other students to balance things out. And third, they hold up really well which is a huge relief when working with young children.

I don’t know about you but I’m sold on these therapy cushions!

Workshop Wednesday

Name Finding
Small Group Activity

Combine the experience of scooping and brushing rice with a little name and letter recognition. To play this simple but engaging name activity, start by putting laminated name cards on a tray then pour some rice on the tray too. The children can use their hands or brushes to search for their names and the names of their friends. This is a wonderful way to help the children identify not only their own name but all the names of the children in your class. Once the children get pretty good at recognizing their names as a whole, then you can cut up the name into individual letters and invite them to search for the letters in their name. This is also fun to play with a partner. One child hides all the letters under the rice then the other child searches for the letters. Just the scooping and brushing rice makes for a wonderful sensorial experience. Once children are able to do independently move the activity to the centers.

Hide the name cards under the rice.

Add friends names too!

Cut the letters apart. Find the different letters and put together to spell name.

Idea taken from Teach Preschool

Make and Take Monday

Sorry I have been out of commission. I have recently moved and my computer has been down.
I am trying to catch up for this week. Thanks for your patience.

Colorful Sensory Gel Bags

These bags can be added to your art area, discovery/science area, writing area, or even table toys ... practically anywhere. And the kids LOVE them!

Materials:
Hair gel (from the dollar store - clear or yellow)
Baggies
Food color (the food coloring in the tubes makes bright colors)
Clear packing tape
Trinkets (optional)

Directions:
1. Fill each Ziploc baggie with about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of hair gel. (The yellow hair gel works as well as the clear gel and it smells great!)
2. Add some food color to get the bright colors.
3. Add trinkets if desired.
4. Use clear packing tape to seal the top of the baggies.

TIP: To remove the Ziploc print from the baggie all you need is to lightly rub the white letters and symbols with a very little nail polish remover and a sponge and the white print will come right off.



Make a baggie with each color and place in the art area for children to explore.



Add trinkets and add to your table toys area.
Have children "squish" around and count the number of objects in the baggie.

Add trinkets related to your current theme and add to your discovery area.
For example, nuts, acorns, apples, etc. for fall.



Use for small groups. Give each child a baggie and have them trace letters, shapes, numbers, etc.

Photos taken from Teach Preschool

Make & Take Monday

Welcome Back!

It's beginning to look a lot like SCHOOL. It is hard to believe another school year has started. Time flies. Our first make & take is a great sensory idea (wouldn't you know it!) It is a back-to-school tub. Hope your kids enjoy!

Materials:
:: Shredded notebook paper (or shredded construction paper)
:: Pencil case (one with a zipper will encourage fine motor development)
:: Crayons (homemade crayons would be fun too):: Pencils
:: Erasers (which can be added to the pencil tops for a fine motor activity)
:: Pencil sharpener (to be used with the pencils, of course)
:: Scissors (children can further cut the shredded paper)
:: Paper clips (these can be used to make chains, patterns, counting, etc.)
:: Wooden alphabet tiles

Taken from Counting Coconuts

:: Number beads, 0-10 (can be laced)
:: Tiny wooden apples

:: Colorful shapes 
:: Mini homemade notebooks

:: Small alphabet book
:: School bus calendar cards
:: Back to school novelty buttons

Workshop Wednesday

Bubble Fun!

Try this activity in your science center or for some outdoor fun.

Replace ordinary bubble wands with kitchen utensils for some fun bubble-blowing experimentation! Stock your science area with a shallow pan of bubble solution and a variety of slotted utensils, such as those shown. A youngster visits the center and explores making bubbles with the different utensils.

Make & Take Monday

Ocean Sensory Tub

Blue aquarium rocks

Plastic aquarium plants

Safari Coral Reef Toob (assortment of ocean animals and plants)

Pack of plastic fish from the dollar store

Coins (for buried treasure)

Bucket

Fishing Net

Fll the whole thing up with water!!  What FUN!!

Taken from Playing House

Make & Take Monday

Gel Molds and Color Mixing

Use plain Knox Gelatine and mix 3/4 cup of boiling water per package.  So if you’re doing the entire box of four, get 3 cups of water nice and boiling and then stir in the packages to dissolve. Add one at a time and stir to dissolve.  Pour the mixture into a container (muffin tins, empty Cool Whip or yogurt containers, bowls, etc.), or better yet, several containers.  It’s always helpful to have several gel molds made up so that you can replace them as they become used up in the bin.  Chill the molds in the fridge overnight.  To loosen, you may need to run around the edges with a butter knife.  (Oiling the containers or using a cooking spray beforehand also helps with an easier release.)  Place the molds, containers of colored water and pipettes or small eye droppers in a small bin. The children fill the droppers, insert them into the gel, and squeeze to release the color in a newly created crevasse.  The color mixing and overall effect is just awesome and intriguing, even for grown ups.