PF's Vocab Test

I posted about PF's idea for making visual vocabulary cards to learn her vocabulary words. She came home today with a 100% on her test!!!! I was so excited for her and also excited that she recognizes the way she learns best.

Dragonfly and the Box

Dragonfly LOVES to sort. I gave her the completed snow box for the first time and what does she do.....dump the whole thing out and begin to make piles to sort out the different elements of the box. It was so typical of her and really made me laugh.

Sensory Discovery boxes

Snow Themed

Christmas baking themed

I finished up the snow themed one minus some foam snowflakes that I would like to find and add. I was talking to my good friend about these boxes and she told me about one she made with flour. What a great idea so I copied :) The Christmas Baking one is flour with hidden red and green chocolates in it. I also added spices for smelling and sprinkles to make noise. I put in red and green spoons for searching for the chocolate and transferring the chocolate to the cupcake holders. For extra fun I added in a candy cane for digging. This box will probably be pretty messy but a lot of fun.

In case you are wondering why I am doing these boxes:
I have two girls with sensory processing disorder. They both display it in different areas and a few similar areas. They both need help with fine and gross motor skills as well. These boxes provide a fun way to provide therapy to them. We decided when we moved away from our last therapist to really try to incorporate therapy into our home and not take them to a therapist. I have become more familiar with my girls needs and how to help them overcome their weaknesses. I also have a good friend experiencing the same thing and still going to a therapist, who provides me with some extra tips.

For my other two girls who seem to be functioning without any sensory problems, these activities are just fun for them and a good change to the regular schedule. I think sensory activities are really beneficial to everyone.

Paper Pottery

PF worked on this in art class. I just love it!

Spelling Story

Click to enlarge

Snow Box

Snow themed sensory discovery box.

I have found two blogs lately that I really like. Both of these blogs have pictures of these incredible sensory boxes with all kinds of themes and materials. Dragonfly loves these kind of activities....the ones where she can just explore and create her own thing. So I decided to go ahead and get one ready for January which is when I want to start a regular program with Dragonfly. Well she couldn't wait until then and started playing with the box as I was adding things to it. I have several things around the house that will work great for my first box and I have a bag full of stuff to use for future boxes. I spent awhile this morning going through the whole house looking for little toys and similar items to use for these boxes.

I have decided to call mine sensory discovery boxes because I think the boxes will take care of the girls sensory needs plus they will be discovering all the little hidden things I add to the box as well. I also thought about making Eye Spy Cards to go with each box that way it adds alittle more for my older girls.

The first one I am putting together is a snow theme.
Items in the box (so far):
-cotton balls
-white pom poms
-foil balls
-New Year's confetti
-spoons
-white streamers
-silver beads
-white and silver stones
-a couple snow themed toys (one makes noise and one is a tiny snow globe)
-Large silver ball
-small stuff bear with a snow hat

I am hoping to find foam snowflakes to add and maybe a few more snow themed toys.