Listening, language and learning with a Halloween sensory bin is a rich and motivating activity for a wide range of children. I use dry pinto beans and ofter cover the bin with a small swag of autumn leaves to keep the item(s) hidden. Increase or decrease the set size to meet the child's level.
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Depending on the goals the activity may look like:
- Bury a season object and talk about it before the child sees it. (Hearing 1st) ( OOoooo! Boo!)
- Find something - with a face, an insect, that grows on trees...?
- Categories - things that fly: are scary; see in a pumpkin patch; are make-believe.... Find an item that doesn’t belong.
- Following directions/critical elements- Look for the bat and make it sleep upside down.
Auditory memory- Find the apple, the wagon, and the black cat. Uncover the skeleton, the witch but not the monster.
Inferences or Riddles- "I am the color of darkness. Some people say I’m bad luck. Others say I have nine lives. Witches keep me as their pet." Find it!
Give the child a turn to bury a toy and describe it to the other players.
- Bury a season object and talk about it before the child sees it. (Hearing 1st) ( OOoooo! Boo!)
- Find something - with a face, an insect, that grows on trees...?
- Categories - things that fly: are scary; see in a pumpkin patch; are make-believe.... Find an item that doesn’t belong.
- Following directions/critical elements- Look for the bat and make it sleep upside down.
Auditory memory- Find the apple, the wagon, and the black cat. Uncover the skeleton, the witch but not the monster.
Inferences or Riddles- "I am the color of darkness. Some people say I’m bad luck. Others say I have nine lives. Witches keep me as their pet." Find it!
Give the child a turn to bury a toy and describe it to the other players.