Hi Amanda,
Here is some ideas for all children that would also be appropriate for children with special needs.
Wonder Box
Use a large box or basket and instead of just placing the items in it, use smaller boxes, draw string bags, bags with zips, bags with buttons, little suitcases, even wrap items in gift wrapping paper or just use tissue paper to place individual items or groups of items in. This way, just discovering what is inside becomes exciting and working out how to open it becomes an activity in itself. These are just a few ideas of many. Change the items and co-ordinate to the child’s individual needs and abilities. Some items/ideas you could include are:-
• Puffer/Squishy Spiky Balls (you can get these cheap from $1 shops in different colours, sizes and shapes and ones that light up).
• Koala clip-on’s (those little Aussie Koalas that you squeeze to clip on to clothing, a box, etc.
• Cups or boxes or babushka dolls (open one to find a smaller one etc, etc.) discover each one then put them back again in correct sizes.
• Little dolls or teddies in a sleeping bag or a blanket that has Velcro so you can rewrap.
• Duck family (big and little plastic ducks) which can be used for recognising sizes big to little or counting. Also for ‘5 Little Ducks’ song.
• Plastic animals; you could have 4 of each in different sizes; horses, pigs, dogs, cats, cows, sheep etc. Play a sorting/grouping game with them.
• Little bells (different sizes and sounds).
• Smelly bags using;
Lavender (calming)
Lemon Balm (relax, helps anxiety)
Peppermint (stimulates the mind and calms the nerves)
Using little draw string bags with cotton wool and a couple of drops of the above oils.
(Store draw string bags in plastic zip lock bags to keep smell in and stop smell from over powering everything else.)
• Bag of pebbles, Fluffy and smooth powder puffs, Scourers, Sponges- to explain soft, smooth, hard and soft.
Other Ideas;
• Discovery bottle; ½ fill a 1 litre plastic bottle with sand and add items that will fit through the top like; things from the sea, fish, shells, starfish, crabs etc. (flowers, plastic jewels or anything else you can come up with.) Screw cap on tightly and use glue or tape to secure.
• Magnet fun; Using a magnetic board and numbers, alphabet, girl figure and clothes (dressing activity), story- telling or any other idea. Buy pieces with magnets or make your own by placing self adhesive magnets on felt pieces etc.
Hope you can use some of these ideas. Sandi
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