Internationally recognized play specialist, O. Fred Donaldson wrote “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children learn how to learn." Below are 15 ideas for how to encourage play using your Fall Sensory Bin.
Literacy
- Read the story and then have your child try to catch a falling leaf (either a real leaf outside, or a leaf from the kit)
- When playing with your child, use descriptive words like: soft, cold, light, heavy, squishy, spikey, smooth
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)
- Count the animals, pinecones, apples
- Ask how many apples and pinecones are there altogether?
- Ask how many apples do you have if an animal eats one? (take one away and let them count)
- Allow your child to come up with their own way of playing
- Count how many scoops fill up the bowl
- Compare the leaves
- Compare the sizes of the different items (which is the biggest, smallest)
- Compare amounts (what is there the most of, the least of)
Fine and Gross Motor
- Use the scoop to transfer items to the bowl
- Use the bowl to scoop and pour
- Use your hands to feel
- Hide animals and find them
- Fill the tractor up with items and “drive” them around in the corn