Hellobee

As we head into another long cold winter, the days are shorter and time for playing outside is limited. For those of us at home with kiddos all day, it won’t take long before we are out of “quiet” activities to do. And let’s be honest…the quiet activities usually aren’t the ones that the kids want to do the most anyway!

Sensory play (or, play engaging the various senses) is something that most kids love, because their little developing bodies need it! Children learn by doing, so these experiences are vital for not only their growth, but for the sanity of the adults who care for them! (Still not convinced that toddlers and preschoolers really thrive when given these experiences? This is a great article that explains exactly what kids are learning while they engage in sensory play!)

Pinterest can be both a blessing and a curse. Within seconds, millions of ideas are at our fingertips. But it is easy to get overwhelmed at all of the options, and to decide that these activities aren’t realistic for the average mom. Even though I have studied child development and worked with toddlers in a classroom setting, I still find myself falling into the “but I DON’T WANT to clean flour out of my rug!” camp, and sensory activities have definitely been on the back burner in our home.

But as Little Lion gets older and requires a lot more challenge and stimulation to remain his happy and content self, I have decided that the time has come for me to conquer my fears.  Below are some tips for how we are making the mess more manageable in the Lion household!

1. Start small – Put away the complicated Pinterest activities and start with something you are comfortable with. Play doh is my go to with young toddlers. It works the little fine motor muscles in their hands, offers a new texture to explore, and is easy to modify. A fork and a spoon and a small ball of dough (or if you want to go bigger, some pipe cleaners and a cookie cutter) are enough to get started. No complicated toys required. I posted previously about our go to recipe for play doh, which is made with just flour, salt, and water. I mix the dry ingredients in large batches ahead of time so that all I have to do is add water and mix. As you get more comfortable with your child’s abilities you may notice that your confidence to try new things expands!

2. Keep materials handy – In our kitchen I have a designated drawer that is close to Little Lion’s high chair that houses our art materials. I keep these items close by so that I can stand with him while he works on a project. That way I am not constantly having to run to get things. I keep crayons, paper, markers, dot paint markers, pipe cleaners, cookie cutters, dry ingredients for play doh, and other miscellaneous craft supplies in this drawer. That way, when I decide LL needs a more structured activity I can put him in his high chair and pull out some materials. This takes the planning out of the equation, and makes it easier for me to implement. Most of these activities are relatively mess free, but they are fun and engaging for him. Win win! If you don’t have room for a drawer, I would suggest a craft basket or box that is stored somewhere close by (maybe the pantry or on top of the fridge). I know if I have to round up lots of materials I am less likely to find the time or energy to get started.

3. Plan for messes – If you decide to undertake an activity that will be a bit more messy, plan ahead. LL has a “smock” which is really just a large white t-shirt that I can throw over his clothes when he draws with markers or dot paint markers. For bigger messes, I keep a vinyl tablecloth handy so that I can cover any surface that I may not want to get messy. Anything with glitter is automatically done outside…no exceptions. And for really really messy stuff, you can always take the activity to the bath tub!

4. Keep your expectations reasonable – Toddlers have a notoriously short attention span. I try not to plan activities that will take longer to set up than they will be played with. Expecting a toddler to engage in an activity for longer than a couple minutes sets you up for disappointment and feeling like a failure. Let me assure you…you are NOT a failure if your child doesn’t spend much time on an activity you created. They may not want to participate at all, and that is okay! I love the term “invitation to play.” All you can do is set up an activity and show your child how much fun it can be. It is their choice whether or not to join. If they don’t, shelve the idea for a day or two. We all know how fickle young kids can be…just try it again later! It also helps to remember what children are capable of when it comes to activities. Young toddlers have better control of their arm movements than they do of their fingers, so activities like stamping, poking, splashing, and patting will be more successful. Cutting and gluing should really be reserved for older toddlers or preschoolers. Expecting a toddler to color on a sheet of paper but never go outside the boundaries is a recipe for frustration, for both you and for them. It is fine (important even) to establish rules within what they are capable of controlling (no, we do not throw the play doh across the room!), but if you find a child is constantly “misbehaving” with a material, most likely it is a material that they aren’t ready for yet, or that it is time to put it away for a while and try again later. Remember, attention spans are short. Don’t try to drag an activity out.

5. Keep it open ended – We all love the look of a perfectly executed frame-able craft. And these have a place, for sure! (Hello, grandparent gifts!) But the majority of sensory experiences should be about just that…the experience! Try not to go into a craft or an activity with an expectation of what the end result should look like. Allow your child to take the lead in how they use the materials. You may be surprised with what they come up with! The more open ended an activity, the better! Sensory play is all about the process, not really about the product.

6. Remember: Not all sensory play is messy!  – When we hear the word “sensory” we tend to think of explosions of glitter and corn starch all over our living room (shudder). But really, sensory play includes activities that engage ANY of the senses. Playing instruments, touching a silky scarf, playing in a bin of cotton balls, smelling flowers…these are all sensory activities! So while the “touch” sensory activities may take a little prep and clean up, there are lots of ways to provide sensory experiences without any mess at all! I find these to be far less intimidating, and I will definitely be including these in our day!

7. Don’t go overboard – Kids still benefit greatly from periods of independent play…so don’t feel the need to over plan. One or two activities in a day is more than enough. Mostly, kids just need opportunities to explore and play, both with us engaged with them, and on their own!

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Do you have any great sensory activities that have been a hit at your house? Tips for making it go smoothly? Please share them!