It’s still a bit early to put out the plants in the strawberry pot but it was a perfect time for some sensory-play and fun with loose parts that encouraged early learning (and kindergarten readiness). The loose parts were a few plastic toy animals and some other assorted accessories (aka stuff or junk).

The animals needed a house so Big Sister found a piece of wood to make a roof. Some motivational bracelets made fences and a bottle cap made the drinking place. The stairs, that is the little lips on the side of the pot, were their houses and the animals visited back and forth. There was not much sensory play in the dirt in the big pot, but in the yard there was quite a scavenger hunt for weeds that could be pulled out to feed the animals. This required some digging too with a big old spoon that led to some dirt and puddle mixing for mud play.

The animals also needed some rounding up. The dog is an eraser top for a pencil and the frog is a pencil sharpener. These two usually live in a desk drawer but “wanted to go and play with their friends.” After a long time of imaginative play, the animals had to come back in the house and get washed with some warm soapy water in a bowl-bathtub. An old rag and 2 small hands helped them to dry off before they had to get put back in the toy bin.

So much of children’s play happens with materials that are not necessarily toys. But there is no doubt that learning is taking place. Problem-solving, imagining, creating, remembering, organizing, planning, talking, asking, and  explaining, were just a few of the higher-order thinking skills. There was also some negotiating practice: “but I will be careful with the frog pencil sharpener,” and some responsibility since the animals had to come back in. Are there some small animals that your child can use for some sensory-play and loose parts fun at your house or center?

Share this:

If you need a reason to save those bits of treasures that kids fill their pockets with, it could be that they make great finds for sensory play as well as fun, learning, and kindergarten readiness. A big jar lives at our house with rocks, seashells, bits of wood, tiny pieces of sea glass, and other treasures collected from various family members over the years. For play time, though, it gets emptied into a shoe box or other container. To play with it, kids have to be old enough that they do not put things in their mouth, or anybody else’s or try feeding items to any cats, dogs, or fish that might be sharing the space. Once that’s understood, then the fun can start.

Rocks and shells have a variety of textures and other feelings: smooth, rough, pointy, round, light, heavy, big, small, and more. Kids enjoy touching and holding them just for the feel. Even very ordinary rocks can have lines, swirls, polka dots, and other features to see. Sea shells have wonderful ridges and bumps on the outside, while inside they are smooth and glassy. Colors are usually soft, not bright and bold, but greatly varied just the same. The lines make patterns that can be felt or seen by little hands and eyes.

Kids will play with these small items in different ways. Swishing rocks in a little bit of water makes their patterns much more visible. Some kids may line the rocks or shells up, make their own patterns, create pictures, count them, stack them, or sort them into different groups. Two rocks tapped together make sounds. Big rocks or shells are often the mommies and daddies, while small ones are the kids and babies. Nature connections, sensory stimulation, and loose-parts activities are combined as kids play. Are there any rock, seashells, and other treasures that your child can play with today?

Share this: