Touchy feely messy fun
What it's about
This is a series of activity guidelines. They are simply a gathering of a variety of ideas which early years workers have been happy to share with us to share with you. Contributions have come from child minders, development officers and educational visitors. Speech and language therapists and staff at the Learning Centre, Lockerbie Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland have also added information. Some of the suggestions are similar but one may suit a child slightly better than another.
Have fun!
Things you need think about first
To get the most out of the activities:
- Try to give time to activity.
- Try to be as organised as possible before you settle down to play.
- Never leave a child unsupervised.
- Beware of using materials that could cause allergic reaction - always check.
- Make sure all materials are clean.
- Never use uncooked kidney beans.
- Washable paints are best and absolutely non-toxic.
- Food colouring should not colour the skin.
- Choose textures carefully to suit each child.
- Make sure all materials are clean.
- Try playing with some of the messy mixtures on top of a large safety mirror can be great fun.
- If you are using real food, decide beforehand if eating it is OK.
- If a child is unsure, gently encourage but do not force.
- Cleaning up matters. It is best done at the end to avoid distracting the child during activity.
Safety note
Remember at all times, pre-school children and many disabled children need adults to consider their safety on their behalf.
Credit
With thanks to Barbara Aitken from Dumfries and Galloway Educational Home Visiting Service for putting these essential facts together.
Activities
- Bean Bags
- Snowballs
- Winter Collage
- XMAS Moon Cards
- XMAS Pop up cards
- XMAS Sensory Tangerine
- XMAS Stained Glass Window