Rice, Pasta, Beans, and Sand

Sensory needs can be met in many ways and in different environments. In my classroom I had plastic containers that were about 2.5 gallons. I filled these containers with a variety of things you can find at a grocery store. One held rice, another pasta noodles, beans, and finally sand (you can find at craft stores, pet stores, and hardware stores) The students enjoyed simply burying their hands in the various substances, but what made these containers much more fun was burying small objects in each container. You can make a list of things to find in each container such as small plastic figures, animals, dice, pom poms, etc. I have also placed objects in the containers and told the students that the first 5 objects they find they can keep. This is highly motivating and it meets many sensory needs for students that are reluctant to experience new textures. Objects that I place in the containers for prizes include small erasers, stickers, coins, party supply toys, etc. You can add a language component to this sensory experience by having the child place their hands in the container and using only touch, describe what they are touching. They would use words like bumpy, rough, soft, smooth, round, square, big, small, etc. Then they would take their best guess as to what they are feeling.