Practical ideas we'll be using this fall
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Have you discovered Pinterest? It's a website that allows you to organize pictures from around the web on your own pinboards, linking back to the original page so you can explore the picture, idea, or concept more fully. I have a variety of boards - related to home decor, crafts, book, quotes, recipes and more - but the one I'm pulling from today is my "To Include" board. I've provided all of the original links, but if you want to see the whole pinboard, go here. (And if you need an invite to join Pinterest, leave your email in a comment below or email me at shannon@theworksofgoddisplayed.com!)
I love this sponge Jenga game. (Go here for the source, which includes instructions and other ideas for these little sponge blocks.) I love it for special needs ministry because it won't make a racket when it falls (which could be unpleasant or even painful for someone with sensory processing difficulties) and because they can't hurt others if thrown (which is a behavior we've seen in some of our kids).
Has anyone used one of these Ikea chairs in a special needs setting? The cover can close to create a personal, private space. And it's only $80.
Here's another sponge activity for you - could play with these dry or wet! I love cheap and easy sensory toys. Here's the original post that explains how to make them.
Yep, that's bubble wrap, spray-painted with stencils and held in place with double-sided tape. Fun sensory play for active friends, found here!
And while the ideas above are fun, my favorite "pins" so far are a variety of sensory box ideas. We're going to make some of these in clear bins with covers and keep them in our supply closet to rotate through as needed. Keep in mind whenever making or using these that supervision is necessary (it doesn't take long for a bean or other small item to go in a mouth, nose, or ear! or for the whole bin to be dumped out, making a mess) and that allergies must be considered (for example, one box I saw used hay pieces; I would find an alternative item to use that isn't allergenic).
And while the ideas above are fun, my favorite "pins" so far are a variety of sensory box ideas. We're going to make some of these in clear bins with covers and keep them in our supply closet to rotate through as needed. Keep in mind whenever making or using these that supervision is necessary (it doesn't take long for a bean or other small item to go in a mouth, nose, or ear! or for the whole bin to be dumped out, making a mess) and that allergies must be considered (for example, one box I saw used hay pieces; I would find an alternative item to use that isn't allergenic).
a gardening sensory bin with beans, shovels, pots, and fake flowers; found here
a transportation-themed sensory bin, found here (and, if you're interested in more, this site has a TON of other sensory bin ideas as well; she makes one each month for her son)
an idea (from the same site as above) of making a card of items to find in a sensory bin! keep it with the bin, and you have a sensory bin + I Spy activity
a farm-themed bin, found here, and ...
...another farm one, found here
a "butterfly" sensory tub made with pasta! great idea from here
And I'll end with this, found on Pinterest and pinned from the sidebar of this site:
Ain't that true for all of us?