Sensory Activity: Dried Beans

     While teaching preschool, I always enjoyed using dirt, sand, hay, dried peas, water, rocks, flour, sugar, etc. The one thing that I liked the most was the dried beans! These beans make the coolest sounds, especially when the kids would play with them inside that old metal sensory table.
     On a long and cold day, it's always great to pull out a few bowls, some spoons and extra dried beans. I did that with my daughters, the other day. I let them pour, stir and scoop to their hearts' content.

    I would like to warn everyone that while these beans are fun to play with, they are also a choking hazard. It is always best to have adult supervision! 

     At any rate, my daughters had a blast trying to make me some "bean soup". They stirred, "crunched", and poured. It was just about the cutest thing ever!

     Back when I first started college, I always wondered why sensory activities were so important. A few childhood development and education classes later, I knew why.

1) Sensory activities help with a child's physical development. Their large muscles are put to work as they scoop, pour, dig, and even sift their way into their activity.
2) Believe it or not, sensory activities help children with their social skills. When children come to a problem, they have to work together to negotiate and problem solve. (i.e. sharing tools. In my daughters' case: share bowls, utensils, and the dried beans)
3) Sensory activities like this can be scientific for a young child. (i.e. bury small toys in the beans, and let the kids find them. I have done this before while teaching my preschoolers about dinosaurs. I used doggy treats that were shaped like bones).

     I could go on and on about the benefits of sensory play, but I won't. Instead, I will encourage you to take your children into the kitchen with you. Find something fun for them to play with. Trust me, you and your kids will enjoy playing and spending this time together.