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CURRICULUM AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT * 3 HOURS * LEVEL 2

Sensory Bins 101

Why Sensory Bins?

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Sensory bins, or containers filled with materials that appeal to as many senses as possible, have become a part of many early childhood classrooms. Sensory bins are so much more than a way to keep children busy. They facilitate exploration in a creative and natural way. When a child sits down to engage in a sensory activity, they are learning a variety of skills, some that you may not even have realized before!  
Practical Life Skills 
Filling, measuring, sorting, and mixing are all skills that can be explored though sensory play. These skills need to be repeated over and over again to be mastered. Sensory bins give students the opportunity to practice these skills that they will use the rest of their lives. 
Social Development
Sensory bins are a great way to get children playing and interacting together. They will learn how to share space, materials and ideas with one another during sensory play.  Concepts such as conflict resolution and body language will be explored as well. 
Language Skills 
As children gather around a sensory bin, not only are they developing relationships, they are also developing language. They will learn new vocabulary words from one another. They will improve speaking, listening and comprehension skills, too. 
​Fine-motor Skills 
As children grasp, scoop, pour, and place items throughout the sensory bins, they are practicing fine or small motor skills. Hand-eye coordination is developed in a natural way through sensory play. ​
​Understanding the Senses 
As the name suggests, sensory bins help students explore the body’s sense of sight, sound, touch, smell, and occasionally taste.  Children learn about the properties of different materials and how they feel in relation to their body.