Well folks I need you to channel your inner DIY Diva. Yep, I’m giving you lots of recipes for sensory PLAY. Children love sensory PLAY. I think they instinctually know it’s good for them. And their instincts are spot on. Sensory PLAY is good for them! As you probably can guess, sensory PLAY involves one or more of the senses: touch, smell, taste, hearing, and sight. Additionally, proprioception, often referred to as the 6th sense, is included in this sensory PLAY category. This 6th-sense, movement-based PLAY is good for building balance and body awareness for children.
It is through sensory PLAY, kiddos learn to explore the world around them via information provided through their senses. So know, when you provide your child with sensory PLAY you’re giving providing learning opportunities. Luckily, you don’t need to go out and buy Playdoh, Gak, Floam or other hands-on & in kind of stuff. NO!! Most of these are easy and economical to make at home.
The Curriculum is PLAY-based
Recall, children use their senses to gather information about the world around them. Sensory PLAY is really then a learning activity. In fact, sensory PLAY covers 4 out of 5 curriculum areas. Think Language & Literacy, Creative Representation, Initiative and Social Relations, and Logical Reasoning. And I would say the last domain, Music and Movement, could be added just by including music in the background.
With sensory PLAY, children are introduced to new vocabulary and scientific concepts. For the sensory materials below for example, some terms and concepts include:
Science-related Words:
● Chemistry = branch of science studying properties of matter and how matter interacts with energy.
● Chemical reaction = a process in which one or more substances are converted to one or more different substances. This happens because reagents and reactants are mixed together. A reactant causes a reaction to occur.
● Mixture = a substance in which two or more substances are mixed but not chemically joined; meaning a chemical reaction hasn’t taken place. Substances in a mixture keep their original properties; mixtures are easily separated.
● Solution = a specific type of mixture where one substance is completely dissolved into another.
● Substance = matter which has a specific composition and properties.
● Suspension = a mixture between a liquid and solid particles. Particles are “suspended” in the liquid and settle/separate over time if left alone.
More Science Vocabulary…
● Polymers= large molecules made of small, repeating molecular building blocks called monomers.
● Viscosity = the property of a liquid describing how fast or slowly it flows. Think of viscosity as a liquid’s thickness.
● Elasticity = the ability of a material or object to return to its normal shape after being compressed or stretched.
● Cross-linking = the connecting of a polymer’s chains to one another. Doing this creates a polymer network stronger and more resistant to being dissolved.
● States of Matter = Matter exists in different forms, called states. The three most familiar states are solid, liquid, and gas.
● Physics = a branch of science that studies matter and its motion plus how matter (ie objects) interacts with energy and forces
● Newtonian fluid = a fluid whose viscosity does not change with rate of flow. Viscosity only impacted by temperature or pressure.
All of Together…
The recipes below for GAK, Glurch, Oobleck, Floam can be lumped together as different kinds of SLIME. Slime is created following a chemical reaction. In the GAK recipe, a reaction occurs when glue is added to the water/Borax solution. Borax serves a couple purposes. It acts as the reactant AND it ‘organizes’ the mass of polymer molecules that is the glue. Instead of individual strands, like spaghetti noodles, Borax makes a stronger structure–more like a woven rug.
Oobleck is another kind of slime. It highlights another facet of chemistry. Oobleck is a suspension, not a solution. The cornstarch doesn’t dissolve completely in water like salt or sugar would. Instead, the tiny cornstarch particles remain suspended in the liquid.
SLIME is Special…
GAK, Glurch, Oobleck, and Floam are all non-Newtonian materials. Non-Newtonian fluids change their viscosity or flow behavior under stress. For example, Oobleck is a runny, gooey liquid until a stress is applied. Then it suddenly acts like a solid. Hit a bowl full of Oobleck with a hammer. What do you think’s going to happen? You’d probably expect a mess with goo splashing out everywhere. Instead the cornstarch particles lock together and your hammer will feel like it’s coming down on concrete.
NOTE: Water is an important ingredient in slime. It helps polymer molecules slide past each other so the slime can flow. If too much water evaporates, the slime will end up like a solid piece of plastic. Store your slime properly, whichever variety, to keep it longer.
Get Your Hands Dirty…
Well not literally for once! You’ll need clean hands making these recipes for sensory PLAY. I just want you to be excited about all the different sensory materials you’ll have at your fingertips! I mentioned Playdoh; generically it’s playdough. You can find my special formulation, and another sensory material,called AromatheraPLAY dough here.
Safety Comments: Unlike my AromatheraPLAY dough recipe, some of the sensory PLAY recipes below contain ingredients that, if eaten, could be problematic. Please supervise your children to insure they do not consume them. Additionally, PLAY with these materials in an appropriate area with your children in PLAY clothes.
Click the Read More button for Recipes!
SLIME RECIPES….
1. GAK
If you were a kid in the 50s or 60s (like me) you played with Silly Putty. That accidental invention turned into a must-have toy. If you are of my kids’ generation–well at least my son’s, you enjoyed Gak….and you still can!
2. GLURCH
Not familiar with this? It’s a great substance! It’s kind of like putty or a shiny playdough. But maybe its best feature, as far as parents are concerned, is it’s something that cleans up easily!
3. OOBLECK
You probably were introduced to the green gooey, substance oobleck from Dr Seuss. In his book, Bartholomew and the Oobleck it fell from the sky, wreaking havoc in the kingdom. But at preschool, and I’m sure at your house, all it’ll wreak is FUN!!
4. FLOAM
Unfortunately, this sensory material wasn’t available when my kids were young. I’d have been all over it! It’s fun stuff!
1 tsp. Borax powderDough & Clay RECIPES….
1. SALT DOUGH
If you’ve been a parent for a while you probably already received a gift made from salt dough. I cherish Mother’s Day hand prints pressed in dough, memorializing my kiddos’ hand in time. Most recently Grandbub #1 sent me a mitten (made from the outline of his hand) for a Christmas ornament. Mix up salt dough especially if your kiddo has some family gifts to give! Tip: Use acrylic paint and seal with mod podge sealer.
2. FAUX CLAY
Fingerpaints….
DIY FINGERPAINT Recipe #1
DIY FINGERPAINT Recipe #2
ADDING TEXTURE to your TEMPERA PAINT
Including different types of materials to tempera paint will give a completely different painting experience for your kiddo.
Try the following to 2C of paint:
Texture Material
●rough 2T sawdust
●slippery 2tsp glycerine
●gritty 2T sand
●grain 1C granulated sugar