Our dolphin’s friends are exploring nature elements, with a hands-on sensory experience, using natural materials found in our backyard, we created a nature inspired sensory bin.
Our nature basket consisted of;
- Seed pods;
- Pinecones
- Bark;
- Sticks;
- Rocks;
- Sand; &
- Pebbles.
With the addition of some plastic Australian animals for the purpose of imaginative play.
What is a nature sensory bin?
A nature sensory bin or nature sensory basket is filled with items found in nature, materials with different colours, textures and smells to stimulate as many senses as possible to help develop the sensory system in the body.
Natural resources with their colours, shapes, and textures, are perfect tools for use in loose parts play, as they provide possibilities for discovery and creativity.
This type of loose-part play is open-ended, allowing children to experiment and decide the purpose of an item in their play experience.
What is loose part play?
It is a type of play that’s support invention, thinking and problem solving and offers a sense of wonder to children.
They are materials that have no specific purpose, they can be anything from sticks, to rocks, they are materials that can be moved, lined up or taken apart.
Allowing children to discover something new using everyday items, turning them into anything their imagination creates.
The benefits of loose-part play are endless
- Open-ended– They are flexible and can be used in endless ways
- Encourages imagination & creativity– Giving children the chance to determine how items will be used and the purpose.
- Cost effective– So easy to source and lots of fun to collect
- Sensory– Children learn about textures, shapes, patterns, and weight
- Portable– Giving children ownership over their play experience
- Variety of play experiences– dramatic, exploratory, constructive, and social.
- Develop skills– Supporting children’s problem-solving, decision making, physical, fine, and gross motor skills.
- Environmental awareness– Engaging with natural resources supports children to care for natural environments and develop respect for living things.
- Resourcefulness– natural resources allow children to be sustainable through finding ways to recycle, re-use and repurpose items in their play.
Its simple and inexpensive to set up a loose-part play at home.
Nature scavenger hunts are a great way to get the kids outside having fun!
Get outside and spend time together on a scavenger hunt to find natural treasures to make your very own sensory bin or sensory basket.
The best part about sensory baskets, is they will all be different!
That’s all from Miss Lauren, Miss Ruby and the Dolphin’s (Gwongs)
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