Sensory Bin & 12-18mos Olds - Am I Nuts?

[Lianne]

Am I nuts to consider putting out a sensory bin in my playroom? I have a 12mos, 14mos, and 18mos old in my care plus a few part timers. We were at a playgroup thing on Tuesday and the teacher had a water table filled with small legumes. My three had a blast in it. Sure, they ate some but the legumes were tiny and not a choking hazard. I'm also not one to worry about the germs they may ingest. The legumes got all over the floor but a broom solved that problem.

I have a low train table that I use for putting out some toys (little people and the farm, etc) and I have a shallow rubbermaid bin that would sit on top of the train table and would work well to hold the sensory items. The table/bin would not always be in my direct line of sight but I can definitely keep my eye on it. I'm just not a hoverer. The kids play freely here a lot, guided play but not micromanaged, either. It's just not my way. I'm debating between using legumes like the playgroup uses or oatmeal and creating a fall/apple themed bin. I could use rice, uncoloured because it will get eaten and you colour rice using rubbing alcohol. Cormeal is out (too messy) and so is dried pasta (big enough to be choked on).

Am I nuts to consider this? Anyone have successful experiences with a sensory bin and young children?

[bluemoose_mom]

If you're nuts, then I am too!:: I plan on bringing in my (cleaned and sanitized) sand table from outside (can't play in the sand when it's -20 out) and using it as a sensory table.

I plan on putting rice in it as well. Perhaps other things but rice to begin with.

My daycare kids are 12m, 15m, 19m, 3yrs(my DD), and 4yrs. The 19m and 4yr old are leaving my care next Friday, but that's doesn't change my plans either.

I plan on using the sensory table as an end of the day activity, and could perhaps separate the children who don't do well with it.

Good luck!

[E Daycare]

I introduce my dck at a young age to rice and stuff too but only as a one on one activity. I can monitor if the kid eats it or wants to fling it around.

I figure if it bothers me too much with mess I'll just plop them in a small kiddie pool and let that retain the mess.

[My3cents]

I am big on these type of activities and exposing kids very young to this stuff. My little's keep up with my bigger kids. Not something you want to leave them with and walk off to do something else, you have to be all eyes and ears and eyes. Doable. Kids learn from be able to experience. Just have to make sure they are safe doing it.

Fun fun fun

How does everyone store sensory table stuff- my issue is lack of space for more stuff! How big of a sensory table does everyone have? What does everyone find works best? Not trying to steal your thread but yet I am.....

Best-

[Crystal]

Nah, you're not nuts! My kidlets (12 months and up) LOVE the sensory table!

GO FOR IT!!!! happyface

[Heidi]

Nah, you're not nuts! My kidlets (12 months and up) LOVE the sensory table!

GO FOR IT!!!! happyface

I know we already had the sand-and-water talk... What materials other than that would you recommend for the younger set? I have 2 11 mo's, an 18 mo, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old...soon adding another 2 year old (all part time except one 11 mo).

I have a water table outside...could bring it in for the winter. What are some good not-to-crazy things that are safe for the eat-everything 11 month olds?

[countrymom]

I have a train table which I screwed down, and they love it. But they love the rice table. I colored it and they don't eat it at all, and the alcohol does wear off too. I've had it for 2 months now.

[Country Kids]

I know we already had the sand-and-water talk... What materials other than that would you recommend for the younger set? I have 2 11 mo's, an 18 mo, a 2 year old, and a 4 year old...soon adding another 2 year old (all part time except one 11 mo).

I have a water table outside...could bring it in for the winter. What are some good not-to-crazy things that are safe for the eat-everything 11 month olds?

Fillers:

Pom Poms
foam shapes/letters/numbers
ribbon
paper
plastic tiles with numbers
Counting bears
wooden spoons
popsicle sticks
plastic measuring cups
toilet paper/paper towel tubes
magnetic letters/number/shapes
plastic links
pinecones
seashells
big beads
paintbrushes
seasonal wooden pieces (I usually find these at Michaels or Wal-Mart


If I can think of anything else I'll let you know-

[lovemykidstoo]

I have been thinking of doing this too. I have alot of little ones also (14 mos 16 mos 17 mos, 2 yr olds, 3 yr olds). So, for someone that hasn't been big on sensory bins before, what do you do? Do you just put some rice in there with other items and they just mess around with it? I can see how they would love it, so I want to try it.

[Lyss]

I have been thinking of doing this too. I have alot of little ones also (14 mos 16 mos 17 mos, 2 yr olds, 3 yr olds). So, for someone that hasn't been big on sensory bins before, what do you do? Do you just put some rice in there with other items and they just mess around with it? I can see how they would love it, so I want to try it.

I put cooking utensils (measuring cups, strainers, whisk...), little animals/bugs, tweezers, magnifying glass... all kinds of stuff in with whatever is in the table.

I let the infants that i have (2 10month olds) use the sensory bins (I also have 2 2.5yrs and a 3.5yr), Usually things like rice, corn, beans, sand, fabric, rice krispies, water beads... my kids LOVE the sensory table.

[lovemykidstoo]

Ohhh, I love the idea of using rice krispies in it.

[Blackcat31]

Nah, you're not nuts! My kidlets (12 months and up) LOVE the sensory table!

GO FOR IT!!!! happyface

Do you know anything about food useage in sensory tables? As far as rules for ratings and assessments go....

In one of my courses, we were told that we couldn't use things such as rice or bean or macaroni in our sensory tables as it is disrespectful to use food items for play.

Besides dry kidney beans being toxic for the kids, they are saying that "playing" with food is not culturally appropriate and disrespectful to those who may be experiencing hunger.

Wondering what you know about this and/or your thoughts.

[Country Kids]

Do you know anything about food useage in sensory tables? As far as rules for ratings and assessments go....

In one of my courses, we were told that we couldn't use things such as rice or bean or macaroni in our sensory tables as it is disrespectful to use food items for play.

Besides dry kidney beans being toxic for the kids, they are saying that "playing" with food is not culturally appropriate and disrespectful to those who may be experiencing hunger.

Wondering what you know about this and/or your thoughts.

For my state I have heard nothing on this.

I don't know if a child would think oh, they are uisng food in here and that is so wrong! Also, alot of the things I put in (birdseed for one) is something a kid wouldn't eat anyway! I guess the birds can be upset with me-

My food items right now consist of pinto beans, white beans, macaroni and birdseed. I don't even think my kiddos think of them as food items because they are in the sensory bin-not on a plate.

I think its silly if its a problem to take $5-$10 dollars to do a sensory bin with dried foods that alot of people even if they are hungry probably wouldn't think of eating.

[lovemykidstoo]

I think that that is pushing the politically correct thing a bit too far.

[slpender]

Do you know anything about food useage in sensory tables? As far as rules for ratings and assessments go....

In one of my courses, we were told that we couldn't use things such as rice or bean or macaroni in our sensory tables as it is disrespectful to use food items for play.

Besides dry kidney beans being toxic for the kids, they are saying that "playing" with food is not culturally appropriate and disrespectful to those who may be experiencing hunger.

Wondering what you know about this and/or your thoughts.

In my area this policy is part of the rating scale but I do not take part in it because it is voluntary so I can get around