Coloured Scented Spaghetti in Mirrored tins

Cooked Spaghetti is a great play resource for all ages and abilities. So to add a different sensory element to it I added some essences to it to give it some wonderful scents and aromas. 

To create the coloured scented spaghetti I filled 4 tubs with water, food colouring and a few drops of different essences e.g peppermint, strawberry, lemon, vanilla. 

I then placed a handful of dry spaghetti into each individual pot and left to absorb the water for a few hours (I organised this after breakfast so we could play and explore in the afternoon after nap time)

Once ready to use I transferred the spaghetti onto a piece of baking paper to absorb any extra water. 

Then presented it in Mirrored tins to allow for a smooth surface as well as adding another visual sensory element with the reflective tins. 

The children (aged 2 years) loved just running the spaghetti through their hands and using fine motor skills to pick up and slide around individual strands of spaghetti.

Lentil Play

I presented this simple tray filled with orange lentils to 3 children with just a few basic tools - 1 funnel 3 spoons and an ice cube tray.

They all dived in instantly scooping up the lentils using the spoons and tipping them off again listening to the calming sound they make as they hit the tray again 

One of the children then discovered the funnel, placed it on their lap and used the spoon to carefully transfer the lentil from the tray to the funnel, whilst one of the other children used the ice cube tray to divide the lentils into the individual sections, 

all the children were kept engaged in carefully transferring, tipping and pouring for quite some time taking turns to use different objects and skills, the lentils all help to develop those pre writing skills and the children use their fingers to mark make in the tray  leaving their marks.

Playing with objects from around the home

You don't have to spend a fortune on new shiny all sing all dancing toys with 

those flashing lights and irritating tunes to keep a young child happy. 

Your kitchen cupboards have plenty of "toys" for them to explore and experiment.....

Plastic bowls, pans, and spoons allow children and young babies to investigate and examine whilst learning. This activity provides a range of sensory stimulations 

too such as Sound - ringing, tinkling and louder banging sounds as the spoons 

crash against the pots (like a drum). Touch - the different textures 

weight shape and even the temperature and Sight - through the different colours shininess and form or shapes of the objects. 

Ensure all objects are clean and undamaged before giving to your 

baby or young child to play with ! 

Most importantly let them explore whilst you sit back and observe what they create. 

Discovery Bottles

A Discovery bottle is a great way of getting children and babies to 

experiment, explore think and talk.

They are cheap and easy to make and suitable for a range of different ages and 

those with additional needs too. 

 Discovery bottles can stimulate different senses by making sounds, emitting aromas or 

presenting small worlds. 

All you need is a variety of different shaped and sized clear bottles and 

and variety of objects to fill them with 

I've used mini pom poms, sequins, coloured water, coloured rice, glitter, feathers, 

and any think I could find in the craft and sensory play boxes.

Once you have filled your bottles make sure you secure the lids with some strong glue 

before allowing the children to explore.