East Los Angeles College Own Sensory Box Presentation

You will create a three-dimensional sensory box activity that allows an infant/toddler to have a multi-sensory, developmentally appropriate experience. You will “present” your sensory box to the class on the due date in Discussion #

Sensory Boxes/Bins/Boards (40 points)

Infants and toddlers love to investigate the items around them. It helps them figure out how things work in their environment. A sensory box/bin/board takes advantage of an infant’s or toddler’s natural curiosity while giving him/her/them the opportunity to develop fine motor skills, tactile perception, etc.

Procedures:

1. You need a sturdy cardboard or plastic box, bin, or board.
2. One idea might be to trace and cut holes large enough for child’s hand to fit. Or have one lid opening, or create a board that will be displayed vertically. Think outside of the box!
3. Decorate the box/bin/board, give it your creative touch and originality!
4. Think of a theme/topic/activity to incorporate inside the box/bin/board.
5. Make sure the box is neatly displayed with all the features (clear theme, nice layout, colorful, attractive, decorated/painted/drawings/labels and creative and original)
6. Your presentation portion includes the following: “presenting” includes you submitting at least 3 clear images as part of the Assignment here AS WELL as in Discussion #5 by 10/31. At least one of the images should include YOU next to the sensory box you created. You can demonstrate in the image how a child “may play” with the box.
7. Then, you will have until 11/5 to respond to at least 3 other’s Sensory Boxes by respond to the prompts as outlined in Disc #5. For each classmate’s project you will comment on their use of materials/visual aids/props. Also, you will comment on why it is developmentally appropriate, and what domain(s) it addresses (i.e. social-emotional, cognitive, physical).
8. Warning/Caution: Do not include any items in the box that are choking hazards since toddlers are notorious for sticking things in their mouth.
9. See sensory boxes rubrics for further details.
10. HAVE FUN!

Here are some additional resources to guide you:

SENSORY BOX STUDENT EXAMPLE

SENSORY BOX STUDENT EXAMPLE #2

See the Powerpoint embedded in Module 5 for more info.

SENSORY BOX AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT PPT

Learn more about sensory boxes and brain development.

This website (and countless others) has some good ideas if you need some inspiration.

SENSORY BOX RUBRIC

Coco, who is the son of one of our Child Development Faculty, Dr. Marini Smith, during one of his NAPA intensive graduations where the occupational therapist is giving instructions on what they can do with Coco at home using a sensory bin (FYI, Coco has a mild seizure at 2:40):