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

[Heidi]

Pumpkin carving probably wouldn't be part of a politically correct early childhood program since carving pumpkins is associated with Halloween and Halloween isn't celebrated in ECE classrooms.

It is Fall or Harvest celebrations instead.

instigator!

on that note, I'll probably be told at some point I can't have Christmas tree either because it's not only culturally insensitive (despite that all my dcf's are practicing Christians...but just incase), it also kills precious trees.

It MIGHT also be culturally insensitive to have a pet cat, dog, or horse because in some cultures THOSE are food. Hey, if I were hungry.....

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[Crystal]

First....sorry OP that this has gotten totally off topic.

In regards to using food.....it is not a regulation of any sort to not use food. It is considered part of a DAP program and really comes down to what a provider/teacher values. I, personally do not use food because, yes, I do believe it is innapropriate, culturally insensitive, and have personally witnessed families telling thier children to use as much noodles and rice as they can as they were going to use it at home to eat....they were THAT poor. However, to each his own and if you don't have a problem using food as art or snesory materials, go for it.

But, Honestly, it has nothing to do with California regs, beurocrats, etc. NAEYC is a national organization providing resource to ECE providers and the assessment scales are used nationally to assess quality of ECE programs and is written by two women who have nothing to do with politics.

On another note, things like beans, rice, etc are DANGEROUS as they can be aspirated into the lungs and cause death. Defintiley something to consider.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I guess my sarcasm didn't come through!?!? I would never deprive a child from carving a real pumpkin.... regulations be dam&ed!

No I got that you were being funny

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

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-

I cut up pool noodles into big chunks
I placed different texture items in there- sandpaper squares, fabric squares, sponges, felt etc I did 2 pieces of each item so they could match
plastic animals hid in paper shreds.
turkey basters and measuring cups with water.
silk flowers

[Crystal]

I guess we'll have to use plastic Jack-o-lanterns, then? Can't waste any pumpkins... who knows, there may be a world-wide pumpkin pie shortage.

Actually, you CAN use the pumpkin as food AND as an EXPERIENCE for the children. Cutting and cleaning a pumpkin, washing, cooking and eating the seeds, baking the pumpkin with brown sugar on top and eating it.....ALL great food related sensory activities that don't waste food.

[melskids]

I didn't read all of the replies...I kinda skipped over the "food" debate but I will say, my kiddos are in (and yes, I said "IN" ) a sensory tub as soon as they can sit up. ::