Sensory Play Activity Plan Objective To Create A Sensory Pla

Sensory Play Activity Planobjectiveto Create A Sensory Play Activity

Scenario: You are a teacher at a childcare center for toddlers. Your class will soon be starting a topic called "My Five Senses." The children in your care come from diverse cultural backgrounds, and several of them speak languages other than English at home. Focus Assignment: Create an activity plan for this age group that involves sensory play for at least two senses. Be sure to provide a description of the activity you plan to carry out, the child outcomes, the space and materials needed, and the procedures you will follow.

In addition, be sure to include elements that will create a multicultural and anti-bias atmosphere in the classroom. Self-Reflection: For each element of your activity plan, explain how this element will help students learn about their senses and aid in their development.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of sensory play activities tailored for toddlers is fundamental in stimulating their five senses while fostering a multicultural and anti-bias environment. For the "My Five Senses" unit, an engaging and inclusive activity designed to stimulate tactile and auditory senses would be constructing a "Cultural Sensory Sound and Texture Box." This activity involves creating a box filled with various textured materials and culturally significant sound objects, offering a rich sensory experience aligned with diverse backgrounds and cognitive development goals.

Activity Description

The "Cultural Sensory Sound and Texture Box" entails collecting a variety of items that engage tactile and auditory senses. For the tactile component, the box would include textured fabrics like silk, burlap, and velvet; natural materials such as dried beans, rice, and sand; and cultural artifacts like small woven mats or traditional cloth pieces. For auditory stimuli, items like bells, drums, or culturally specific musical instruments such as maracas, rain sticks, or handheld drums will be included. The activity involves children exploring the contents under supervision, encouraged to use their senses to describe and compare the textures and sounds they experience. This hands-on exploration aligns with toddlers' developmental stage and curiosity about the world around them.

Child Outcomes

Through this activity, children will develop a heightened awareness of their senses, particularly touch and hearing. They will enhance their vocabulary by describing textures ("soft," "rough," "smooth") and sounds ("loud," "soft," "rattling"). The activity promotes cognitive development, sensory integration, and language skills, especially for children who speak languages other than English at home, by encouraging verbal and non-verbal expression. Furthermore, the activity supports socialization as children share their observations and discuss differences in textures and sounds, fostering an inclusive environment that respects diverse cultural backgrounds.

Space and Materials Needed

  • A sturdy, accessible box or container
  • Textured fabrics (silk, burlap, velvet)
  • Natural materials (dried beans, rice, sand)
  • Culturally significant items (woven mats, traditional cloth)
  • Musical instruments (bells, maracas, rain sticks, drums)
  • Labels in multiple languages describing each object and its sensory qualities
  • Paper and crayons for drawing or recording observations

Procedures

  1. Introduce the activity by sharing a story or song from a different culture that involves sounds and textures.
  2. Explain the purpose of the sensory box and demonstrate how to explore its contents safely.
  3. Invite children to take turns exploring the items one by one, encouraging them to describe what they feel and hear.
  4. Assist non-English speaking children by using visual labels, gestures, and translation when possible to promote understanding.
  5. Encourage children to share their observations with peers, fostering an inclusive dialogue about cultural differences.
  6. Provide materials for children to draw or record their findings, reinforcing language skills and cultural awareness.
  7. Conclude with a group discussion highlighting the different textures and sounds, emphasizing respect for cultural diversity and sensory exploration.

Incorporating multicultural elements such as culturally specific items and multilingual labels fosters an anti-bias atmosphere by valuing diverse traditions and languages. Sensory exploration through this activity enhances early cognitive and language development, fosters cultural appreciation, and promotes social-emotional skills crucial for toddlers' growth.

References

  • Berk, L. E. (2013). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood. Allyn & Bacon.
  • Ginsburg, K. R. (2012). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 129(1), e204-e213.
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2020). Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children From Birth Through Age 8. NAEYC.
  • Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.
  • Edwards, C., Gandini, L., & Forman, G. (2011). The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Approach. ABC-Clio.
  • Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. Basic Books.
  • Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. National Academies Press.
  • Reggio Emilia Approach. (2022). The Reggio Emilia philosophy and its emphasis on cultural diversity. Reggio Children.
  • Kalb, H. (2013). Cultures of childhood: Changing worlds in the age of global media. Routledge.
  • National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. (2010). The foundations of lifelong health: Influences of the early environment. Harvard University.

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