Then, I read some favorite apple books. We’ve had lots of fun with apples while painting and washing them, hanging them in our window, and creating 3-dimensional apple trees. So when I put together ideas for our apple theme, I created a simple rice apple sensory bin that both our toddlers and preschoolers would enjoy, plus build those fine motor skills! The sensory bin is a staple in our classroom and one of our centers during free-choice centers time. Sensory bins involve:
Sensory Exploration (Five Senses) Fine Motor Strengthening (Scooping, Pouring, Grasping) Cognitive Development (Sorting, Categorizing) Language Development (Discussion With Peers During Play)
Another important benefit of sensory bins is that they encourage cooperative play. When there is more than one child at the sensory table, they are learning how to communicate and share space and materials. When I observe our toddlers and preschoolers at our sensory bin, there is so much learning that is taking place through play. I’ve created many sensory bins during my 22 years of teaching toddlers and preschoolers, such as: Itsy Bitsy Spider Sensory Bin Construction Sensory Bin Farm Sensory Bin Weather Sensory Bin Within each sensory bin I make sure there is a filler that can be scooped and poured, along with tools and other pieces. Once all the materials are ready, they get tossed into the bin and it’s ready for play! More to read: Big Collection of Sensory Table Activities for the Entire Year
Dyed Rice (I share how I dye rice in this post.) Padded Apples Red Pom Poms Green Pom Poms Sorting Bowls (We Used Red and Green) Tongs
You don’t need exactly what we used. Check what your supplies and see what you already own. You could substitute the padded apples with some small pretend apples that might be in your dramatic play area. If you don’t have any apples, stick with the green and red pom poms and pretend they are apples. You could even toss in some yellow pom poms and a yellow sorting bowl so there are three colors! My point is that this is flexible – use what you have! You can find some apple songs in our October playlist. Way Up High In The Apple Tree is a favorite in that playlist. We use my apple tree props from our Song & Rhymes Props Pack. We also read some favorite apple books throughout the week.
5 Little Apples How Do Apples Grow? Apple Farmer Annie Peppa Goes Apple Picking Apples and Pumpkins
Then it was time to explore the apple sensory bin! Preschoolers can use the tongs, starting with two hands (one on each handle) and moving to using one hand (similar to holding scissors). Toddlers will start by using their fingers, which adds more sensory to the activity. This is especially loved by toddlers, although preschoolers enjoy it, too! By providing pom poms with matching sorting bowls, the children are encouraged to sort the pom poms, transporting them to the matching bowls. Make sure to keep this sensory bin for at least a few days so the children can revisit. We usually keep our sensory bins for two weeks so there is plenty of time to explore! Easy Apple Muffins Apple Stamping Here is my Privacy Policy
