{"id":19831,"date":"2018-12-05T00:01:28","date_gmt":"2018-12-05T05:01:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=19831"},"modified":"2018-12-07T21:38:06","modified_gmt":"2018-12-08T02:38:06","slug":"toddler-explorations-sensory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/","title":{"rendered":"Toddler Explorations: Sensory!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When I started rotating programs for Toddler Exploration, I knew I wanted to include sensory experiences. Sensory experiences\/activities are important because of the importance of tactile experiences (especially because so many kids are getting lots of screen time- which is cool- but they need other experiences). Also, I\u2019ve always believed that the library is a place for kids to get messy and explore!<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Originally, I had planned on a sensory story time&#8211; but once I realized that I was not including a story element to the other versions of the program, it seemed unnecessary to include it here.<\/p>\n<p>Like similar iterations of Toddler Explorations, I create 4-6 different experiences each time. While it may seem like a lot, there are easy ways to repeat things, and then children can explore based on their own interests and curiosities.<\/p>\n<p>Below are what I have done before, some notes on how it works, and the cost. Enjoy!<\/p>\n<p><em>July<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-19831 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_0967-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0967-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-19858\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0967-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0967-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0967-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0967-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0967-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0967-90x90.jpg 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-19858'>\n\t\t\t\tAll four activities\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_0953-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0953-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-19857\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-19857'>\n\t\t\t\tPinto Bean Discovery\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_0952\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0952-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-19832\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-19832'>\n\t\t\t\tShaker Eggs\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_0962\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_0962-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-19833\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-19833'>\n\t\t\t\tShape Sort\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Pinto bean trays<\/strong> aluminum tins, pinto beans, random plastic animals, and plastic spoons and utensils, packing peanuts, and Dixie cups. Each table had two tins (4 tins total) and an additional tin in the middle for invitational play. I also labeled them with red tape to remind caregivers that children under 3 needed additional supervision.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Newspaper Bins<\/strong>: Three boxes (used Baker and Taylor boxes with flaps cut off) of newspaper shreddings, felt dinosaurs, pom poms, plastic cups, rubber ducks, and plastic utensils.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shape sort:<\/strong> egg cartons, precut small shapes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shaker Eggs<\/strong>: Parachute and shaker eggs<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts:<\/em> Pinto beans trays are easy and fun&#8211; but I needed more of them! Having bigger bins for smaller children was a great idea, as well as keeping them on the floor and able to crawl into.<\/p>\n<p>Total cost: $18-20 dollars (mostly aluminum tins and plastic tools and animals)<\/p>\n<p><em>August<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-19831 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/screen-shot-2018-12-04-at-8-58-07-pm\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Screen-Shot-2018-12-04-at-8.58.07-PM-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-19859\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-19859'>\n\t\t\t\tScrubbing Station\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1117\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1117-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-19834\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-19834'>\n\t\t\t\tGel Bags\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1644\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-19842\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-19842'>\n\t\t\t\tSensory Tubes\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/screen-shot-2018-12-04-at-8-59-00-pm\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Screen-Shot-2018-12-04-at-8.59.00-PM-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-2-19860\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-2-19860'>\n\t\t\t\tWater Painting\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Scrubbing station<\/strong>: Aluminum tins, toothbrushes, cut sponges, plastic animals, and soap and water<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gel Discover Bags<\/strong>: Ziplock bags, hair gel, food coloring, and foam stars<\/p>\n<p><strong>Water Painting<\/strong>: construction paper, water, cups, sponge brushes&#8211; I made mine out of hair curlers and popsicle sticks!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sensory Tubes<\/strong>: From a supply order<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts<\/em>: Scrubbing station was so fun! I will definitely do this one again! The water painting was so simple, and it was funny seeing children\/caregivers want to take the creations home.<\/p>\n<p>Total cost: $18 (Used the tins of previous weeks&#8211;toothbrushes, sponges, hair gel, zip locks, etc from Dollar Tree)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>September<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-19831 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1391-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-19863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1391.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-19863'>\n\t\t\t\tPumpkin Dough \n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1378\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1378-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-19835\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-19835'>\n\t\t\t\tSticky Wall\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1388\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-19838\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1388.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-19838'>\n\t\t\t\tSticky Wall in use\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1387\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-19836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1387.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-19836'>\n\t\t\t\tShaker eggs\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1381\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1381-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-19861\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-19861'>\n\t\t\t\tRice Bin\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Pumpkin dough: <\/strong>Pumpkin puree and cornstarch, plastic covered tables<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sticky wall:<\/strong> Contact paper, pom poms, plastic buttons<\/p>\n<p><strong>Shaker Eggs<\/strong>: Parachute and shaker eggs<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rice Play Bins<\/strong>: rice, aluminum tins, spoons, cups<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts:<\/em> Pumpkin dough was a hit! Loved telling people how easy it was! And great fine motor practice!<\/p>\n<p>The sticky wall was loved! It\u2019s amazing how simple of an activity this was! The hardest part was taping to the wall&#8211; luckily my coworkers helped! People spent a lot of time here!<\/p>\n<p>Rice was a mess&#8211; a fun mess\u2026 I should have thought it through a bit more! I was happy to do this on a day when my manager was not in the building!<\/p>\n<p>Total cost: Rice $9.87, corn starch: $3.96, pumpkin $6:58 = $20.41<\/p>\n<p>I used tins, shapes, spoon sets, and cups from previous programs and previous budgets!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>October:<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-19831 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1634\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1634-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-19839\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-19839'>\n\t\t\t\tShaving Cream Ghost\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1645\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-19840\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645-768x769.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645-499x500.jpg 499w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1645.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-19840'>\n\t\t\t\tShaving Cream Ghost Invitation\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1643\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-19841\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1643.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-19841'>\n\t\t\t\tSpider Web Weaving\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1644\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-19842\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1644.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-19842'>\n\t\t\t\tSensory Tubes\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1642\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-19843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1642.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-19843'>\n\t\t\t\tJiggily brains\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Shaving Cream Ghosts: <\/strong>Plastic cups, shaving cream, googly eyes<\/p>\n<p><strong>Spider Web Weaving<\/strong>: Felt spider web, pipe cleaners<\/p>\n<p><strong>Halloween Sensory Hunt<\/strong>: aluminum trays, yarn, Styrofoam, fuzzy pieces, Halloween erasers<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sensory Tubes:<\/strong> Parachute, sensory tubes<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jiggily brains:<\/strong> Jello<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts<\/em>: Shaving Cream ghosts were loved, maybe too much as I saw one grandma made a shaving cream beard for herself.<\/p>\n<p>Total Cost: Googly eyes, shaving cream, Halloween erasers from the Dollar Store- about $15, Spider weave from Target 2 for $6. I spent more on this program since I reused a lot for other programming.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>November:<\/em><\/p>\n<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-19831 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1814\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1814-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-19844\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-19844'>\n\t\t\t\tShredded Paper Bins\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1811\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-19845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811-768x769.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811-499x500.jpg 499w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1811.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-19845'>\n\t\t\t\tListening Station\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1810\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-19846\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810-768x769.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810-650x650.jpg 650w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810-499x500.jpg 499w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810-90x90.jpg 90w, https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1810.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-19846'>\n\t\t\t\tCinnamon Scented Dough\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/12\/toddler-explorations-sensory\/img_1804\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_1804-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-19847\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-19847'>\n\t\t\t\tFeathers and Letters\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Shredded Paper Bins<\/strong>: Aluminum tins, shredded paper, plastic tools, cups<\/p>\n<p><strong>Listening Station:<\/strong> Parachute, various musical instruments, and sound makers<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cinnamon Scented Dough<\/strong>: baking soda, water, cinnamon, tools, tins or tubs<\/p>\n<p><strong>Letters and Feathers:<\/strong> Aluminum tins, feathers, felt letters<\/p>\n<p><em>Thoughts: <\/em>Cinamon Scented Dough was an obvious hit and was able to reuse it for another program later that week.<\/p>\n<p>Total cost: $4 for baking soda<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>December:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ice painting:<\/strong> Aluminium tins, ice, paint, brushes<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bubble Wrap:\u00a0<\/strong>bubble wrap on the floor<\/p>\n<p><strong>Styrofoam bin:\u00a0<\/strong>Aluminium tins, styrofoam, plastic toys<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bells:\u00a0<\/strong>Parachute and bells<\/p>\n<p><strong>Maybe snow dough:\u00a0<\/strong>hair conditioner, cornstarch, dough toys<\/p>\n<p>Projected cost: $5-10 for hair conditioner and cornstarch- I have to check my supplies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Overall<\/strong>&#8212; this is one of my favorite programs&#8230; kids really love it, parents and caregivers are always asking for ideas and things to do with the children. I have had lots of patrons ask for these activities. And as you can see in the photos, I try to create facilitation posters for each to engage conversations and interactions between caregivers and their children. And it&#8217;s always great to sit down and model how to talk to children. My only note would be that be prepared to have a mess! Think about how children will use items&#8211; messy items like shredded paper and rice need to either be on floor (with some floor covering) or in bins on tables with floor covering! Encourage clean up as part of the sensory experience!<\/p>\n<p>I am price conscious since our Friends group isn&#8217;t in full budget yet, so I am shelling out some money on my own! But, I just received\u00a0Internal Funding for my system that will support the expansion of this program.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">(Photos courtesy of Amy Steinbauer_<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This post addresses the following ALSC Core Competencies: Programming Skills<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When I started rotating programs for Toddler Exploration, I knew I wanted to include sensory experiences. Sensory experiences\/activities are important because of the importance of tactile experiences (especially because so many kids are getting lots of screen time- which is cool- but they need other experiences). Also, I\u2019ve always believed that the library is a place for kids to get messy and explore!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":233,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1646,1604,96,1607],"tags":[245,483,1663],"class_list":["post-19831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogger-amy-steinbauer","category-competencies-for-librarians-serving-children-in-public-libraries","category-early-literacy","category-programming-skills","tag-early-literacy-2","tag-programs","tag-sensory"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19831","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/233"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19831"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19831\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}