Behind the Scenes with a Sensory Bin

I have had many moms ask me to video tape some time showing a sensory bin in action. I finally remembered to do that and captured 2 videos of Ladybug and I working together. Obviously these aren’t the best quality and only a few minutes of our approximately 30 minutes together {on this particular day}. The videos do show a lot of what we do with a bin and ways for a tot to explore.

I do allow Ladybug to explore on her own with out me {although I am always nearby watching when choking hazards are involved}, and I also spend time with her like you see in these videos. You can see another video of a sensory bin in action here {scroll down, it is the last one on that particular webpage}.

In the following videos, each just a couple of minutes long, you can see us working on…

• Vocabulary: Full/Empty
• Sensory play with sounds {different items in the eggs}
• Vocabulary: in {put them IN my cup}
• Vocabulary: shiny, cold, hot,cool, smooth {with the rocks}
• Body parts {put the rock on your ears, forehead, nose…}
• Counting 1-2 cups

You’ll notice that when she says NO to an idea of mine, I allow that and move on. I believe this is key in working with younger tots. I believe that in order to keep the learning playful and fun, we must follow their lead.

Here are some photos from this same bin time together, showing even more concepts we worked on together…

Spooning rice into the cups…

As we were putting different items into the eggs together…

Testing out the sounds…

Snuggling with the bug fleece that I got out for this bin {my mom had some leftover fleece and I sorted it by theme to use with the bins}!

The following photos are from the day I introduced the Bug Sensory Bin to Krash and Ladybug…

They were both absolutely in LOVE with this bin and everything about it, including the hats {from Target}

Magnifying glasses {Target} were a BIG hit!!!

Matching bugs to flashcards with real bug photos {thank you $1 section Target}

We have also played with the bin on several days when the camera didn’t come out!

I hope this helps some of you who have emailed me to see the endless possibilities that a bin full of *stuff* can provide!

PS-if you are wondering where PacMan was-he was away at camp. Krash was at a church Kids Club in the photos/videos showing just Ladybug. I work with her a lot on the evenings when I have just her at home. I try my best to take advantage of any 1:1 time I get with any of my kiddos when I can!

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If you haven’t read the Montessori Minute post about sensory play, be sure to read that to see why these bins are so wonderful for kids!

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