The other day, when perusing Fat Brain Toys, I came across Sensory Stepping Stones. Now, those who know me well know that I only cruise through shops and online stores for ideas. I'm not a money-spender, by nature.
Immediately, my light bulb flashed on, "I can do this! My kids would love this!"
My favorite things combined: creating, hands-on learning, and my kids!
I cut ovals of cardboard and glued different materials on. Tonight I'll grab some slip-proof shelf-liner for the other side, so we can also use these on the wood floors, without risk of injury.
Just glue plastic, wash clothes, make-up sponges, fur fabric, squishy wash netting, etc to cardboard. When it dries, cut around edges. Glue shelf liner on the other side. And you are done.Enjoy hours of activities!
Use them for: counting; using descriptive words; blindfolding & identifying each one; gross motor skills-- hop, small steps, large steps, etc depending on step placement;
Little Lad played with this for a loooong time, but the other kids all enjoyed it, too. I'm building up my "station" materials this summer.
Check out other great activities at these sites:
MPM School Supplies and The Educator's Spin On It wrote to let me know that they've used this idea on their site. Thanks, guys! I hope kids everywhere are enjoying it!
Oh my goodness! How fun!! Thought the green was play-doh at first.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. I'm going to try it.
ReplyDeleteFabulous, I think I will be borrowing this idea :)
ReplyDeleteLike Christie said, I will definitely be bookmarking this idea and using it once I am working within the field again!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea -- and it looks like so much fun! The best lessons are learned with a smile on one's face, I think.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea! we will have to try this one :)
ReplyDeleteI really like this idea - very inventive!
ReplyDeleteI love all these sensory things you've been doing.
ReplyDeleteWhen Joel was small, I made him a writing board. I took a cookie sheet & filled with cornmeal usually. You can use flour, sugar, sand or anything with a similar texture. He would draw, write, do math problems, ect with his finger then gently shake it to clear the board.
He would have loved some of your ideas.
LOVE IT!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI really wish I'd known about this when Zack was little -- a year of occupational therapy and it took us FOREVER to get him to touch things. He's eight and it's murder to get him to eat more than about 10 foods.
ReplyDeleteWe included this activity in our 'treasury' of unique sensory play ideas at our blog, MPM School Supplies Blog! We were sure to give photo/idea credit, as well as a link back to your site, but we'd love your feedback!
ReplyDeletePlease let me know if there are any problems!
Thanks so much,
Kayla Johnson
I used to have a big sensory board the children could walk on but it finally fell apart. So we made some sensory steps out of mat board parents donated based on your ideas here. They were a huge hit! I just put some new pictures in my blog about them. Thanks for the idea! This is so much easier to handle than the huge sheet of cardboard we used to have. Storage is easier, too.
ReplyDeleteLove this! I was inspired by the gross motor movement and came up with this http://theeducatorsspinonit.blogspot.com/2012/01/giant-pattern-blocks-teaching-math-to.html as a result of reading your post! Thanks for inspiring me!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the green step?
ReplyDeleteThe green step has one of those shower scrungy things on it. I just cut the thing apart and spread it out. It has a plastic-y, netty texture. You can find them at the Dollar Tree, or the larger ones at Wal-Mart. (Surely there's a real name for the thing, but my mind is drawing a blank.)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove your idea, I'm going to try it!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, I'm to going try this!
ReplyDeleteLove your idea, I'm going to try it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THIS!!!!!! I am always looking for something to keep active boys occupied those few times they have to wait for the bathroom...this is going to help them out sooooo much!!!
ReplyDelete