A Fall-Themed Sensory Bin to Get Your Toddler Talking
Fall is right around the corner! With the last few weeks of summer dwindling, I’m getting in gear for fall and back to school season.
I’ve created this fall-themed sensory bin activity for children. This activity helps to get your toddler talking by introducing them to different objects and allowing them to develop their cognitive skills AND language.
Why Create a Sensory Bin?
Young children learn through hands-on play, using multiple senses simultaneously. Hands-on play allows children to explore using their touch, sight, smell, and taste. They are able to interact with items on their own and use problem-solving skills to process different objects, building their cognitive skills (Cognitive Development and Sensory Play).
A sensory bin is a great tool for children to develop their cognitive skills! Sensory play allows for children to begin the process of understanding and building knowledge. Children interact with objects of different textures, sizes, and shapes. It’s a great way for children to explore and actively use their senses to experience.
Why Use Themes in Speech Therapy? Or Why Use Themed Activities in Speech Therapy?
This particular sensory bin is fall-themed. Learning something new is easier when it is attached to something we already know. We are able to learn better when we are familiar with something. Using themes and projects can help children see how concepts and skills are related.
Some benefits of utilizing themes in the early childhood classroom include:
Learning in-depth factual information
Becoming physically involved with learning
Learning process skills
Learning "how to learn"
Integrating learning in a holistic way
Promoting group cohesiveness
Addressing individual needs
Motivating for children and teachers
We should encourage children to interact with objects and have them describe what they see and feel.
Children can talk about the theme, pretend to play in relation to the theme, and ask questions to further their understanding of the theme content.
How to Create a Fall Themed Sensory Bin?
Use what you have! Grab anything that you have lying around the house or yard. Collect leaves, acorns, dried pasta, fall colored paper, pom poms, mini pumpkins, or any mini fall-themed objects.
Buy some goodies from Amazon or your local arts and crafts store. I love Michaels and Hobby Lobby!
Safety first! If your child is still mouthing objects, do not use small or toxic items or items that are not edible. Make sure that the objects are developmentally-appropriate.
How to Get Your Toddler to Follow Directions or Talk While Playing with a Fall Themed Sensory Bin
In an empty shoebox or square container, dump the fall-themed items in. I prefer a large boot box because it gives the children enough room to play in.
Touch the objects and encourage your child to do the same. Watch and see what they do. Allow your toddler time to feel these new textures and experience the sensation. Follow the toddler’s lead and do the same thing that he is doing.
Encourage your child to repeat vocabulary words. Some fall vocabulary words include, “pumpkin, pie, leaf, jump, etc.” Begin by saying, “This is a leaf. The leaf is brown.” Allow them to repeat you and learn on their own.
To teach prepositions (in, on, etc.), have your child sort the objects. Add some toys like cars, dump trucks and put the items IN the back of the dump truck. You can also have them put items IN a bowl or ON the top of another object.
Get the child to respond to the question, “Where is it?”
Ask the child where the object is located.
Place the mini pumpkin in the box then ask, “Where is the mini pumpkin?”
If the child gives the correct response, respond by saying, “Yes! It’s IN the box!” If the child does not respond, model to them by saying, “The pumpkin is IN the box.”
For more fall-themed vocabulary practice, check out my Baby Loves Fall Book Companion here!
I hope this post has been helpful!
