Articles: Sensory Tools

Oats and Gems, and Trucks, oh my!! A Week of Sensory Bins, Day 1!

One of Cocoa Puff's favorite activities are our "sensory" bins. I also call them activity bins. I've made them for multiple occasions and holidays. Originally, I had made a bunch of them for Froot Loop, but his tactile sensory issues made it so that he would barely even touch most of the sensory bins, much less actually enjoy playing with it. Soooooo, I put some of them away and brought them out for Cocoa Puff when he was about 18 months old. He still plays with them at 3 years old, so I've made a few more. Here is one of his recent favorites: a rainbow-dyed oatmeal sensory bin with glass gems, marbles, and plastic coins. 

Wishlist Wednesday: Usborne Wind Up & Pull Back Books

My boys have always loved books and always loved reading. They've also always loved cars and trucks and anything with wheels. Usborne Books & More has found the CUTEST way to combine these two! Froot Loop and Cocoa Puff want them all! 

Quickie CRAFT: SUPER Easy Baby, Toddler, or Preschool Paper Earth Craft for Earth Day or Learning about Space.

Hello! If you frequent Mama Writes Reviews with any regularity, you're probably expecting a Quickie Question, since that's the usual agenda around here. I'm going to make an exception this week! In honor of Earth day, I'm going to do a week of Earth Day related crafts: recycled crafts, Earth related crafts, etc. We will start off with a QUICKIE CRAFT: a Construction Paper Earth. 

Report Card Update. How's the new IEP working for us?

It's been awhile since I've shared an update on how Froot Loop is doing in Pre-K! He just got a report card, so I'll go from there. 

Wishlist Wednesday: AHHHHH I NEED THIS SO BADLY edition

If y'all have read this blog for awhile, you know I'm a science nerd. I majored in physics. I've had a lifelong love of science. This week's Wishlist Wednesday is a science item that I've wanted pretty much my whole life and yet have never obtained. 

Bird Feeder Craft for Kids: A Messy & Fun Way to Spend Part of an Afternoon Together

Have your kids been on Christmas break for a whole week like my oldest has? Are they going as bonkers as my kids? UGH! Here's a fun craft y'all can do together that also makes a great last minute Christmas present. 

How to Make Your Own Vinegar- Dyed Rice (It's SO Easy!)

I made colored rice for Froot Loop and Cocoa Puff's sensory bins. It was really easy, took a reasonable amount of time (most of the time was drying time), took only a few ingredients, and has become something we play with pretty frequently. 

Wishlist Wednesday: I SOOO would have bought this if it was around when my boys were babies.

Hello, Wednesday! I can't believe November is almost over. This is crazy. This year has gone by so fast! Without further ado, here's this week's Wishlist Wednesday... 

Exhausted: What Being a Special Needs Mom Means To Me

People wonder why I’m so exhausted all the time. After all, I work from home and my oldest is in pre-k all day. My toddler is relatively low maintenance except for those days he decides he’s two years old. 

Wheee! 17 Nintendo Wii games for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Play as a Family

Yes, You read that right. Wii games for toddlers. We got a Wii last year for Christmas and we have a family game night with it on Friday nights. We have such a good time laughing together. I'm going to recommend a few games for Toddlers and Pre-K kiddos in case you want to start your own family tradition game night. 

Please take note: I do not recommend toddlers playing the Wii unsupervised, and as always, make sure you set limits appropriate for you, your kids, and your family. Some kids may be fine with several hours of Wii playing per week, while others can only handle 15-20 minutes. Do what is best for you. Everything in moderation. Go outside, play, do crafts, play board games, do puzzles, cook together. Just spend time with your kids. All I'm saying is that this is another way of doing this.