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Creativity and play is critical in the early years for children because it develops all of the developmental domains. The domains of development includes social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. Physical development is developed through creative play by improving hand-eye coordination and supporting muscle formation. Fine motor skills are assisted throughout creative play. For example, holding crayons and kicking a ball. Next, social development progresses when participating in creative play because it encourages interaction with other children. Children must interact with one another in order to share and reach a common goal. For example, cleaning up when done playing or building the tallest tower possible. Cognitive development is aided by creativity and play because it allows students to observe and try new things. An example of this is letting a student mix different paint colors together to observe the new colors created. Creativity and play is crucial for emotional development because it gives a child another outlet to express emotions. Children may struggle articulating emotions and can use drawings to demonstrate feelings. Lastly creativity and play improves language development by having children communicate and listen to one another.

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The five senses are crucial in young children's learning. Each sense can provide children different information about anything being observed. Hearing allows students to listen to other children and adults which allows them to learn from them. Sight gives students the ability to recognize items and patterns. Smell can inform a student to stay away from certain things such as chemicals. Students can categorize smells into specific memories and gives more information about an item. Touch allows students to learn how to play and write. Playing and writing assists young children's learning. Finally, taste gives children opinions on certain foods. Children learn about preferences by tasting a variety of foods. The five senses allow students to evaluate the characteristics of objects, experience new things, and form opinions.

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Creative play experiences help children's sensory development. Sensory development is improved through creative play by giving students a variety of experiences. For example, playing with musical instruments would benefit a students hearing development. Giving a child a sensory bin would assist his sense of touch by examining the items within the bin. Building with colorful blocks would help a child practice seeing colors and patterns. Letting a child play in a garden would expose them to the smells of the growing produce. The child can correlate the smells to a certain food. Allowing children to compare the taste of certain candies allows them to communicate preferences. Creative play gives children the freedom to experience new things. New experiences gives opportunities to learn with the senses.

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Examples of play materials for infants are musical instruments and song recordings. Musical instruments for infants include rattles, soft items with bells inside, music mobiles, and drums. Touching the instruments will encourage physical development by improving fine motor skills. Song recordings help develop language by exposing them to sounds and words. Social development can be developed through song recordings and musical instruments if another person or infant is participating with them.

https://va.gapitc.org/grow-learn-and-play-child-care-materials-for-babies-and-toddlers/

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Grow, Learn, and Play: Child Care Materials for Babies and Toddlers

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Creating the ideal child care environment requires a thoughtful mix of fun and inspiring materials, developmentally appropriate activities, and quality caregivers who are invested and involved in the well-being of the children attending. Infants and toddlers are at a crucial stage of development where they're exploring the world around them and making valuable learning discoveries.

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A play material for toddlers that will engage at least three senses are flour sensory trays. Flour sensory trays are trays filled with flour that the toddler is encouraged to finger draw in. Toys such as cars and blocks can be added to the tray. Another tray could be filled with graham cracker crumbs and other foods could be added for the child to play with and eat. Toddlers will develop sensory play through touch, taste, smell, and sight by using the sensory trays. Tasting the edible items will improve the sense of taste. Smelling the items will provide information to the child using the sense of smell. Touch will be used in the sensory tray by feeling the different textures of each item. Seeing the objects interact within the tray contributes to the sense of sight for the child.

https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/sensory-activities-for-toddlers/

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Every parent knows toddlers can be messy. You turn around for two seconds and suddenly your little one is somehow covered in mud, happily plastering your new lipstick between the couch cushions or drizzling a trail of honey across the floor.

It may not be fun to clean up, but all of that messy play is actually an essential part of your toddler's learning experience. It's called sensory play, and it includes any activity that stimulates one of the five senses for a young child. These sensory activities give kids a chance to explore and investigate the world around them while encouraging creativity and scientific thinking.

Of course, just because this behavior is productive doesn't mean it has to come in the form of a giant, unexpected mess. You can help facilitate your little ones' sensory learning by providing them with plenty of fun opportunities to engage their senses.

We rounded up some of the best sensory activities for toddlers the web has to offer. These ideas will be sure to keep your toddlers engaged and learning!

25 fun sensory activities for toddlers

1. Flour sensory trays

This sensory activity from the Hands On As We Grow ® blog couldn't be easier-you likely have everything you need already in your pantry! Simply scoop some flour onto a tray, baking sheet or paper plate and let your kids go to town with finger drawings and handprints. Kids will love practicing their art skills with soft, powdery flour. Adding toy cars or measuring utensils to the mix will encourage imaginary play too!

2. Six smelly activities

Looking for some activities to help explore the olfactory system? Scholastic ® offers six quick smelling activities you can set up with items around your house. Whether it's a game of "smell and go seek" or a DIY stink bomb, these ideas are sure to engage you and your toddler in unique ways with this often-overlooked sense.

3. Flour & water dough

Once your kids have had their fun with plain flour, add water to make it a whole new experience! These instructions from TinkerLab will give you ideas for getting started, like including a spoon your child can use to add water or to mix the "dough." Your kids will see science in action as they witness how the water transforms the flour.

4. Popcorn senses

An activity that involves all five senses and popcorn-what's not to like? Play To Learn Preschool designed a five-sense activity for preschoolers around making popcorn! From hearing the sound of popping to tasting the final product, this activity can take a simple kitchen task and turn it into intentional learning that finishes with a treat.

5. Sand table

Bring your child's fascination with the beach indoors with a sand table. Simply fill a baking dish with colored sand from a craft store. Learn how to incorporate early literacy skills into this activity at Imagination Soup. Younger toddlers will have fun playing with and burying toys, while older kids can practice drawing shapes and letters.

6. Wave bottle

Little ones tend to love water. TeacherVision encourages this fascination with instructions and discussion questions to help toddlers truly observe what they experience. Using easy-to-find items from around the house, the wave bottle is a sensory activity that will help your toddler better understand how water moves in waves and the importance of that in our world.

7. Rock band

Making music is a great activity for engaging the senses! Kids Creative Chaos has the lowdown on how to make music fun and educational for your kids. Make your own instruments or turn your pots and pans into a makeshift drum set. Many people only think about textures when it comes to sensory play, but rhythm and melodies also play a role in sensory learning.

8. Fall leaf activities

Even for adults, the beauty of the fall season is captivating. Fantastic Fun and Learning offers a whole slew of activities directly related to the changes in the world that we see in autumn. Whether it's projects based in art, exploration or science, there is a whole slew of ideas to help toddlers better understand the magic of the fall season.

9. Slimy eyes sensory bag

Skip the mess without losing out on fun and learning! Just add hair gel and googly eyes to a zip-top bag and your little monster will enjoy squishy sensations without the cleanup. Kids will love feeling the "slime" through the plastic bag, and you can add food coloring for a quick lesson in color mixing. Check out Hands On As We Grow for full instructions.

10. Wet paper exploration

Fill a small tub or bowl with water and provide old magazines or junk mail for your toddler to dunk. Your kids will be fascinated by the paper's new texture! It might sound simple, but kids have a natural curiosity about everyday objects. Activities like this give them free rein to explore the world around them. Read more at Tinkerlab ®.

11. Soapy slime fun

Looking for a fun outdoor activity that is sure to be a unique experience? Janice Davis, an early childhood teacher from Australia describes a unique way to let your toddler experience mess-making by creating a colorful, slimy and soapy substance. Despite this being a messy project, if you take it outside, you only need a hose for cleanup!

12. Shaving cream

Squirt some shaving cream on a piece of tinfoil and watch your kids have the time of their lives! Mix it up by adding sprinkles or substituting edible whipped cream for the shaving cream. Kids will practice hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, plus the crinkly tinfoil will also stimulate their sense of hearing. Check out even more variations at Kids Creative Chaos.

13. Loom band sensory bottle

You'll need an empty, clear plastic bottle for this sensory activity from In The Playroom. Fill the bottle with water and add a handful of different colored rubber loom bands. Your child will be mesmerized watching the bands move through the water, and you can easily change out the bands for other materials next time.

14. Ice world

Empty containers, a little bit of food coloring and a freezer are all you need to help your kids bring their play to another climate. Learning4Kids details how you can use these materials to help introduce your toddlers to an arctic climate. This activity is especially rewarding if you organize it on a hot summer day. The contrast of the cold activity can be a refreshing change of pace!

15. Homemade finger paint

Is there anything more fun for a toddler than playing in colorful finger paint? There's no need to worry about toxins, thanks to this homemade paint recipe from Tinkerlab. Kids will learn about color mixing, and they'll have a blast getting messy and making art. Add even more fun by putting the paint in squeeze bottles!

16. ABC sensory table

This activity from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds is a great way to introduce colors, numbers and letters. All you have to do is place colored foam letters in a tub or large baking dish, along with different scoops or containers for your kids to explore. They'll sharpen their early literacy and counting skills while practicing their sensory play.

17. Soapy sensory jars

Save an empty plastic container-like a peanut butter jar-to turn it into a sensory jar that will delight your toddler. Fill the jar halfway with water and add food coloring and soap. You can even throw in glitter if you're feeling fancy! Your toddler will love watching the food coloring and soap bubble up together as they shake and roll the jar. Learn more at Hands On As We Grow.

18. Homemade sandcastles

So your toddler loves the beach-but it's the middle of winter or raining outside. No problem! Taste of Home ® offers instructions for how you and your young one can create sandcastles in your home together. This is a perfect project for those who need a little reminder that warmer and sunnier days of adventure are just around the corner.

19. Treasure chest

Recycle your old baby wipes containers and food jars to make your own sensory treasure chest! Use gold spray paint to transform the container into a magical treasure chest and the food jar lids into gold coins. Simply fill it with sand and hide your treasure for your little one to discover. Visit I Can Teach My Child to learn more!

20. Homemade drums

Kids Activities blog teaches you how to make homemade drums using tin cans, balloons and rubber bands. Have your toddler help you construct a full drum set and place various items-such as rice, marbles or beans-on top to demonstrate how sound is made. They'll have a blast comparing the sounds and watching the objects bounce as they bang their drums.

21. Smelling bottles

Help your child discover the magic of smell by creating these smelling bottles found at Things to Share & Remember. Use empty spice bottles or recycle other used bottles. Put one cotton ball in every bottle and a few drops of various essential oils to create a different scent in each. From vanilla or cherry to cucumber and peppermint, your toddler will find their favorite scents.

22. I-spy bottles

This sensory activity takes those old I Spy books to a whole new level! Simply fill an empty plastic bottle with rice and throw in a few surprises for your little one to discover. Some fun ideas recommended from the Because I Said So blog are dice, pennies, buttons or marbles. Let your child move and shake the bottle until they find each item on the list!

23. Alphabet squish

Teach your toddlers letters with a little squishy fun with this idea from I Can Teach My Child. All you'll need is shaving cream, liquid glue and alphabet stickers to create fun, puffy "letter clouds." Once complete, call out a letter and challenge your child to squish the correct cloud.

24. Outdoor listening activity

So many of the best activities for toddlers are as simple as letting them experience what adults do every day. Fantastic Fun and Learning details an easy but profound activity: Go for a walk and listen to nature. Allow your toddler in on the peaceful fun by predicting what sounds they will hear on the back of a paper plate-and every time they hear one of their predictions, they get to fold that portion over. Will they hear everything they thought they would? Did they hear something that surprised them? A great activity for exercise, guesswork and practicing those listening skills.

25. Goopy fun

Kids will love exploring this homemade, gooey concoction! Kitchen utensils will allow toddlers to manipulate the goop in even more creative ways. They'll practice their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they use utensils to scoop, spread and push the colorful goop. Get the recipe at Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds.

It's time for some sensational sensory fun!

Dealing with messes is part of life with a toddler. Make those messes educational with these sensory activities for toddlers. Use these ideas to create significant learning experiences for your kids. You may even want to join in the fun!

If you love creating learning activities for young children, that might be a sign you should build a career in early childhood education. Our article " 9 Signs You Should Be Teaching Preschool " lays out some of the telltale signs you'd be an effective early childhood educator.

Hands On As We Grow is a registered trademark of Oak Avenue Media LLC.
Scholastic is a registered trademark of Scholastic, Inc.
TinkerLab is a registered trademark of Rochelle Doorley.
Taste of Home is a registered trademark of RDA Enthusiast Brands LLC.

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25 Sensational Sensory Activities for Toddlers

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Every parent knows toddlers can be messy. You turn around for two seconds and suddenly your little one is somehow covered in mud, happily plastering your new lipstick between the couch cushions or drizzling a trail of honey across the floor.

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Adapting Play for Children with Special Needs

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Adapting Play for Children with Special Needs

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Adaptations that may benefit play for children with special needs includes changing the environment and modifying the toys and equipment. An example of changing the environment would be providing better lighting if the child has poor vision. Another example of adjusting the environment would be creating a quiet area for a child that gets easily overstimulated. Next, an example of modifying a toy is using bigger blocks to make building easier for the child.

https://childcare.extension.org/adapting-the-child-care-environment-for-children-with-special-needs/

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Many child care providers work with children who have disabilities or special needs. Remember that children with special needs are children first, and have more similarities than differences from children without disabilities. Every child has a unique personality and special skills. Keep your primary focus on each child's strengths and abilities as you work to make modifications and adjustments.

Making Adaptations to Include Children with Special Needs

Each child is different, and each delay or disability will require different modifications. Child care providers should gather as much information as you can about the child and the disability, and learn about typical modifications that can be made. The child's parents and professionals who work with the child can be a tremendous resource. Don't be afraid to ask questions or make suggestions.

Many of the adaptations that you make to your child care program will be simple. Often, the modifications will also benefit the other children in your child care program.

General Modifications to Accommodate Children with Special Needs

Plan together. Parents, consultants, and caregivers need to set goals together. Ask to be a part of the team that develops and tracks the child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) so you can discuss activities, exercises, and supports needed to reach goals. Goals should be simple and should match the abilities of the child. Always discuss your ideas and plans with the family.

Modify toys and equipment. Simple changes often can be made to regular toys. For example, you can help a child who has difficulty with stacking rings by simply removing every other ring. For a child who has difficulty holding a bottle, cover the bottle with a cloth sock so little hands can grasp it better.

Make small changes in your child care environment. Slight adjustments in your child care environment may make the time that a child with special needs spends with you easier and more enjoyable for everyone. A quiet, private space for play may help an overactive child. A child with poor vision may benefit from an extra lamp in the play area. Removing a rug that slips will help a child who has trouble walking.

Model appropriate behaviors. Children with special needs are sometimes timid about playing with others. You can show them how by being a play partner yourself. You might play a game with the child or pretend to go shopping together. As the child becomes more comfortable, you can invite other children to join your play activity.

Teach specific words and skills that will show how to find a playmate and how to be a playmate. Learning how to look directly at another child when speaking or to say "May I play?" are big steps for some children.

Teach typically developing children how to talk and play with children who have a disability. Talk to the children about what to do. For instance, gently touching the shoulder of a child with a hearing impairment or looking directly at him while talking are effective ways of getting that child's attention.

Look for strengths as well as needs. Avoid becoming too focused on a child's disability. Treat each child as a whole person. Provide activities that will support a child's strong points. Every child needs to feel successful and capable.

Consult with parents, health care professionals, and early childhood specialists. Parents and specialists can provide specific information and suggestions for working with a child who has a disability. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Parents sometimes take it for granted that caregivers will know what to do.

Modifications for Children with Specific Disabilities

The following links can give you specific information on adapting the child care environment to meet the needs of children with certain types of disabilities. When you read this information, remember that every child and every disability are different.

More information about supporting children with special needs is also available in the eXtension Alliance for Better Child care section on Child Care for Children with Special Needs.

Photo by Pam Cleverley, Perry Bisman / CC BY https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

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Adapting the Child Care Environment for Children with Special Needs

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Many child care providers work with children who have disabilities or special needs. Remember that children with special needs are children first, and have more similarities than differences from children without disabilities. Every child has a unique personality and special skills. Keep your primary focus on each child's strengths and abilities as you work to make modifications and adjustments.