Sensory tables/bins?

[mom-in-alberta]

I am wondering if any of you use sensory tables/bins in your childcare repertoire?
I have been surfing some childcare sites, and they seem to be all the rage. Was thinking about putting one together in a good sized Rubbermaid type container, but I am unsure. It seems like an idea that is targeted at special needs kids?
I don't want to make one up, and then spend the entire time it's open saying "No, we don't put that in our mouth" etc!! I think it would be neat though, to change out the items in it with the theme or season we are in?
Hmmmm....

If you are not sure what I am referring to:
http://notjustcute.com/2008/12/08/th...e-on-a-budget/
http://www.earthskids.com/sensorytable.aspx

[playfelt]

They are a very popular item with all ages and not just special needs. There are a ton of ideas for making them up to along with themes or skills such as pouring, sifting, scooping. But as you say not appropriate unsupervised when we have mixed ages as there is a danger to infants and toddlers. I have only used them as an activity an then put it away and the mess just didn't warrant the learning value. I figure we have the sandbox outside for scooping and pouring. And bathtime gives water play so not something we need to waste daytime hours on.

[zen39]

My kids love the sensory table ( I use an outdoor sand table that I keep inside). Because I have young toddlers, I include larger items that they can't choke on and I tend to keep with our monthly themes. I.e Christmas time, we had a bunch of Christmas bows in it, for any colour theme I put in an assorted array of items of that colour. I've put in large fake flowers, blocks, cars, animals, shredded paper,...the list is endless.

If I do any "messy" sensory bins, I tend to use my rubbermaid containers..I have several so there is no pushing and fighting and I'm there with them the whole time and when we're done the items get packaged away. I've used colored rice, pasta, beans, water etc...with spoons, funnels, cups bowls etc...

And now that the weather is nice, they have a sandbox and water table for endless fun.

[sunnydays]

For those of you with water tables, how do you keep them from putting their mouths in the water? I have one, but have stopped using it because it just becomes a big germ sharing activites with them all drinking from it and dipping their runny noses in it...yuck!

[Momof4]

For those of you with water tables, how do you keep them from putting their mouths in the water? I have one, but have stopped using it because it just becomes a big germ sharing activites with them all drinking from it and dipping their runny noses in it...yuck!

I give the children cups, pails and shovels, marbles, all kinds of things to put in our water table, but it's outside. I've never had a problem with anyone trying to drink the water out there, but I stress that it is dirty water and they see that for themselves quite quickly because they always get the dirt and gravel in there and then we have a mud table. I empty mine and refill it every day we use it for safety and sanitary reasons. It's a snow table in winter too, if we could just get some snow!

Can you give everybody a big drink before you go outside and talk to them about clean drinks and water that is for hands but not for their mouth?

[fruitloop]

I made a rice bin that they love to play in and a water tsble for outside. I don't have issues with them putting their mouth in the water...just the toys in their mouth.

[playfelt]

I got rid of mine during the H1N1 with the idea of things that spread more germs than they were worth such as sensory bin, play doh, etc. I had some overly concerned moms and it made it look like I was doing the best I could. I just haven't brought it back and the kids are fine without it. i certainly don't miss having to clean up around it.

[mamaof4]

I have a sensory kid and I use an underbed storage rubbermaid container. I use dried beans, oats, or rice.

[mlc1982]

I've used what others have mentioned. I use different pastas for different feels snd I have also used cotton balls. I do have young toddlers so I have to make sure they don't put stuff in their mouthes. They love it though.

[samantha3]

mamao4- I also have a under the bed rubbermaid bin under my bed that is filled with sand currently and the children love it as well. Thanks for the beans and oats idea!