Fall Sensory Tubs

I always keep a tub of dried beans around for sensory play. Goldie and my second daughter are the ones who love to play in them the most.

I decided to change it up for fall. There was a 4 lb bag of popcorn sitting in my pantry for the last 18 months, so I switched beans for popcorn. We've been hiding farm animals in it, but you could also use acorns or small pine cones.

Goldie is doing well with pouring, so I added these small bottles to give her more of a challenge. FYI: She only plays with these on our enclosed porch where her baby brother is never allowed.

Then I found some Halloween inspiration at No Time for Flash Cards.  I decided to put the black beans in a plastic orange pumpkin and use some counting bugs we already had.

Goldie wasn't very impressed. I think it was hard for her to see into the pumpkin and it didn't give her enough room to really play with them. I'm going to put them in plastic tub, unless she like my next idea.

That was to make and eye-spy container. I took a large plastic container that used to have almonds in it. Have I mentioned how much Goldie loves almonds? I had to start buying them at Sam's Club. I put the beans, bugs and some other toys in it. This will allow both Goldie and Hank to play, since the beans are safely inside.

If you have any great ideas, please share them. Once fall is over, we have a long winter ahead of us. Its always good to have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Special Needs Family

Technically speaking Goldie is the first and only member of my immediate family diagnosed with a syndrome that puts her in the special needs category. Since she was born, I've thought to myself MANY times that we all have special needs. Spending time with a variety of therapists who let me pick their brains has confirmed this.

Lets start with Hank and Swatcho. I'm convinced they both have ADHD. I'm sure its genetic because his mom and grandfather exhibit the same traits.(If you know anyone doing a study give us a call) Hank is physically unable to sit still. I have no idea how he made it through school. He says he paid people to do his homework so he could work after school. Then,there are the times he goes completely overboard. For example, he went to buy seeds for our garden last year. We only needed some pumpkin and green pepper seeds. He spent $80! WTH? I was only able to talk him into returning $40 worth. I only send him to the store as a last resort now.

Swatcho has been on the move as long as I can remember. Or not, because I don't actually remember her first steps. They were early and it was just the beginning of many trips to the ER. Broken leg 18 months, split chin 2yrs, stitches in big toe at 2 1/2yrs, and broken arm when she was 5. The arm was fun. She had to go to PT twice a week and we had therapists coming to the house for Goldie.I freak out now anytime she does anything remotely dangerous looking. Swatcho is also my sensory seeking child. She loves jumping, spinning, swinging, bike riding, etc...

So for a while I thought Mini Me was the "typical" one. But, alas, no such luck. I'll spare you all the details today, but let's just say she can't follow directions. I've tried everything. I realized it was a problem when I saw it impacting her school work. She knows the material, but can't remember the steps to complete a problem or answer a test question. One of her teachers has developed a low perception of her because of this. (thats a whole nuther post)

Hank came home today and said he thinks I should look into Executive Function Disorder. Yup, that's my girl. And she probably got it from me. But, when we were kids expectations were lower. I didn't have the amount of stuff to keep track of that she does, and I mean both toys and school work. I can also see why I have always kept our schedule so open. Too many things on the calendar and I get overwhelmed. There are weeks I think the whole therapist thing is going to put me over the edge. I'm thankful for them, but at the same time just want to be done with it already.

So there it is. Now, how do I organize our home lives so everyone's needs are met? Do I pursue a formal diasnosis for any of this or just implement strategies to help them be successful? I've started by boxing up some of Mini Me's toys and 2 bags of clothes. She had the idea that she could trade items so she doesn't have too much stuff out at once. I also do this with Goldie's toys to cut down on the mess.

Sensory Science

Swatcho is my sensory seeking child. I always thought she was just sensitive to her environment, until I had Goldie. I first heard of sensory integration through a special needs message board I visited, then I did some reading on my own. I've been lucky that Goldie's OT lets me "pick her brain" when I have questions. As an infant, Swatcho would reach out and feel the fleece of my/her sling and always enjoyed toys and books that were tactile. This has worked out good for Goldie because we have a stack of Usborne touchy-feely books.

So, when we picked up a recipe for Goo at Mini Me's school science fair, Swatcho was bound and determined to stir up a batch of her own. Here it is:





Want to make your own?

Step 1: In 1 large bowl mix together
2 cups glue (Elmer's)
1 1/2 cups warm water
(I added the food coloring to this step also)

Step 2: In another bowl mix together
1 1/3 cups warm water
4 teaspoons Borax powder

Step 3: Pour step 2 into step 1. Mix it around until it solidifies. Not all water will be used. It is okay to lift out and knead.
Store in an airtight container. Should last 6 weeks.

While tearing and stretching her goo we talked about the properties of liquids and solids. Another gooey activity is just cornstarch and water. It changes from a liquid to solid over and over while they learn play.