In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make spooky spaghetti and the benefits of sensory play.
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XO Gina
Before little hands hold a pencil, they should scoop & squish & dump & pour! The more opportunities they have to explore with sensory play, the stronger their fine motor skills will be. The stronger their fine motor skills, the easier it will be for them to learn how to feed themselves, zipper their coat, button their shirt or hold a pencil properly!
Activities like this sensory bin are also SO calming. They can help a child (or adult) strengthen their self-regulation skills, focus and attention, all through play! They can also provide a safe outlet for those experiencing big emotions.
Sensory bins also help to activate the senses. The soft texture of the spaghetti as it squirms and squishes around is AMAZING. It is so engaging and fun and interactive for people of all ages!
This spaghetti bin is PERFECT for working on beginning scissor skills! Use starter scissors (no blade) and work on the mechanics of cutting in a safe, fun and engaging way!
This bin is taste-safe, which means it is PERFECT for those who are still exploring with their mouths.
Taste-safe sensory play provides an option that is safe, for those who explore with their mouths, it does NOT mean that you actively encourage them to eat it.
You don't...you still set boundaries, you still reinforce that it is "not food!' but if and when they sneak a little nibble, you don't have to panic! It is less for kids' knowledge and more for the caregivers, teachers and/or therapists who are setting up the sensory experiences.
I never say, "this is taste-safe!" I just know that it is and make the decision based on ages, developmental level and experience with sensory play.
It gives us piece of mind.
It gives us options.
It allows everyone to be included.
Sensory Play Supports:
Language development & vocabulary
Cognitive growth
Fine motor skills (small muscle movements)
Gross motor skills (big movements)
Problem-solving skills
Communication
Exploration of textures
One's ability to make connections
The concept of cause & effect
Storage:
Store the spaghetti in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. If it gets dry, add a few drops of water. Discard after use.
Do the colors get on kid's hands or surfaces?
NO! Once the sensory base is completely dry, there should be no transfer while you play. If you are seeing colors transfer to your hands or surfaces that your sensory base is not completely dry. If you get a sensory base wet during play, I would discard immediately.
Materials:
Spaghetti
Food coloring (optional)
Vegetable oil
Mixing bowl
Pot
Sensory tray or bowl
Step 1: Bring water to a boil. Add pasta and cut according to the directions on the package.
Step 2: Drain the pasta and split into the amount of colors you are making. You can split them into a mixing bowl or Ziploc bag,
Step 3: Add 5-10 drops of food coloring (add more or less depending on how much you make) and mix well, assuring that the colors are fully incorporated. Add a teaspoon or so of vegetable oil, for every one cup of pasta. You want just enough to coat the pasta and keep it from sticking together! You do not want it to be saturated in oil, so start slow and add more if needed!
Step 4: Pour the spaghetti onto a baking sheet or sensory tray and let it dry for about 30 minutes.
Step 5: Drop it on your sensory tray or bowl and PLAY!!!
You get to decide what is safe and manageable in your home. Always monitor young children.
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