I don't understand the whole "sensory bin" thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's really because kids don't go outside and play and explore and get dirty and so they are missing out on a lot of sensory experiences involving touch. I don't think the bins provide a huge benefit, but kids do like them.

I think for some special needs kids it may help, I don't know. But yes, when people don't take their kids to the park and let them play in sandboxes or roll in the dirt or whatever, sensory issues happen.

We have sensory bins AND take DD outside to play in our backyard several times a day and take her to the park at least once a day (generally). As a PP explained, the two are not mutually exclusive. Good preschools have sensory tables and take the kids outside to play so I took my cue from them. DD is not special needs. I just love the idea that she is getting many different sensory experiences. I have no way to judge whether or not the bins provide a "huge benefit" or not - how would I know since you cannot prove a negative.

[Anonymous]

Sensory bins are another gimmick created by privileged sahms to make it seem like they're doing something special for their child, when they're not. It's just another form of play, and definitely nothing new. They're just putting a new name on an old trick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sensory bins are another gimmick created by privileged sahms to make it seem like they're doing something special for their child, when they're not. It's just another form of play, and definitely nothing new. They're just putting a new name on an old trick.

So don't create any sensory bins, PP. No one is forcing you to. Now stop obsessing, get off the internet and go play with your child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sensory bins are another gimmick created by privileged sahms to make it seem like they're doing something special for their child, when they're not. It's just another form of play, and definitely nothing new. They're just putting a new name on an old trick.

So don't create any sensory bins, PP. No one is forcing you to. Now stop obsessing, get off the internet and go play with your child.

Signed -Sahm who constantly seeks sense of purpose by creating useless gimmicks, reinventing the wheel, and sensationalizing things that have been in use for eons

Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sensory bins are another gimmick created by privileged sahms to make it seem like they're doing something special for their child, when they're not. It's just another form of play, and definitely nothing new. They're just putting a new name on an old trick.

So don't create any sensory bins, PP. No one is forcing you to. Now stop obsessing, get off the internet and go play with your child.

Signed -Sahm who constantly seeks sense of purpose by creating useless gimmicks, reinventing the wheel, and sensationalizing things that have been in use for eons

Lol

No one uses "lol" anymore, PP. Now go play with your child! Enjoy your Sunday!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sensory bins are another gimmick created by privileged sahms to make it seem like they're doing something special for their child, when they're not. It's just another form of play, and definitely nothing new. They're just putting a new name on an old trick.

I think sensory bins are stupid, but I think you are stupid as well. I SAH for two years, and it is hard and thankless work. And I just have one easy child. Meander on over to the thread with the mom with theee under 18 months and read the advice she is getting about organizing her day. I guarantee she doesn't need to "make it seem like she is doing something".

Most of the moms endorsing these bins are endorsing them because it keeps the kids occupied and gives them a little respite from the hard work that is being a SAHP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sensory bins are another gimmick created by privileged sahms to make it seem like they're doing something special for their child, when they're not. It's just another form of play, and definitely nothing new. They're just putting a new name on an old trick.

Whatever. My children love them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do PPs mean about kids having sensory or textural issues? Not snark, I'm just not sure what this means. Examples?

Preschool teacher here again: Some children have sensory processing issues. They either enjoy or are repelled by certain forms of sensory input. Some really enjoy touching smooth things, or fuzzy things, or whatever. Others HATE the sensory experience of something sticky, or damp, etc. It seems that these sensory preferences are on a continuum, with some just being likes and dislkes -- like squishing wet sand beneath your feet is good or awful. For others, it is truly a sensory overwhelm OR underwhelm. It can be that the child's sensory "settings" are kinda off, so that a little bit of touching something squishy feels like A LOT, and is overwhelming sensory input, overstimulating and unpleasant. For others, their internal sensory "settings" are dialed way down, and they seek out sensory input -- they need to push and pull and pound and knead things, they need to move a lot to get enough of the sensory feedback of that experience.

For some kids, these sensory processing issues also go along with another special need, like autism. But not for all kids. I had a 3 year old in a class who had behaviors consistent with autism, and he could pour sand, or dried rice, for 30 minutes at a time, he REALLY enjoyed the sensory input he got from that activity. There was little else he could do for more than 5 minutes at a time. It was also a good way to calm him down if he was overloaded by other experiences and was losing his composure. For other more typically developing kids, sensory play is just one more type of experience, trying new things, noticing how different things feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do PPs mean about kids having sensory or textural issues? Not snark, I'm just not sure what this means. Examples?

Preschool teacher here again: Some children have sensory processing issues. They either enjoy or are repelled by certain forms of sensory input. Some really enjoy touching smooth things, or fuzzy things, or whatever. Others HATE the sensory experience of something sticky, or damp, etc. It seems that these sensory preferences are on a continuum, with some just being likes and dislkes -- like squishing wet sand beneath your feet is good or awful. For others, it is truly a sensory overwhelm OR underwhelm. It can be that the child's sensory "settings" are kinda off, so that a little bit of touching something squishy feels like A LOT, and is overwhelming sensory input, overstimulating and unpleasant. For others, their internal sensory "settings" are dialed way down, and they seek out sensory input -- they need to push and pull and pound and knead things, they need to move a lot to get enough of the sensory feedback of that experience.

For some kids, these sensory processing issues also go along with another special need, like autism. But not for all kids. I had a 3 year old in a class who had behaviors consistent with autism, and he could pour sand, or dried rice, for 30 minutes at a time, he REALLY enjoyed the sensory input he got from that activity. There was little else he could do for more than 5 minutes at a time. It was also a good way to calm him down if he was overloaded by other experiences and was losing his composure. For other more typically developing kids, sensory play is just one more type of experience, trying new things, noticing how different things feel.

+1. Thank you for your input once again. I'm the poster with the 1.5 year who has sensory issues. To answer the question posted, my DD doesn't like to get her hands dirty. Teachers told us she doesn't enjoy making a mess like her peers. She doesn't like walking barefoot outside. Doesn't care about walking on sands, or on wet surface. Just to name a few examples. I'm not aware of these things until I hear comments from teachers and started reading forums like these.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do PPs mean about kids having sensory or textural issues? Not snark, I'm just not sure what this means. Examples?

Preschool teacher here again: Some children have sensory processing issues. They either enjoy or are repelled by certain forms of sensory input. Some really enjoy touching smooth things, or fuzzy things, or whatever. Others HATE the sensory experience of something sticky, or damp, etc. It seems that these sensory preferences are on a continuum, with some just being likes and dislkes -- like squishing wet sand beneath your feet is good or awful. For others, it is truly a sensory overwhelm OR underwhelm. It can be that the child's sensory "settings" are kinda off, so that a little bit of touching something squishy feels like A LOT, and is overwhelming sensory input, overstimulating and unpleasant. For others, their internal sensory "settings" are dialed way down, and they seek out sensory input -- they need to push and pull and pound and knead things, they need to move a lot to get enough of the sensory feedback of that experience.

For some kids, these sensory processing issues also go along with another special need, like autism. But not for all kids. I had a 3 year old in a class who had behaviors consistent with autism, and he could pour sand, or dried rice, for 30 minutes at a time, he REALLY enjoyed the sensory input he got from that activity. There was little else he could do for more than 5 minutes at a time. It was also a good way to calm him down if he was overloaded by other experiences and was losing his composure. For other more typically developing kids, sensory play is just one more type of experience, trying new things, noticing how different things feel.

+1. Thank you for your input once again. I'm the poster with the 1.5 year who has sensory issues. To answer the question posted, my DD doesn't like to get her hands dirty. Teachers told us she doesn't enjoy making a mess like her peers. She doesn't like walking barefoot outside. Doesn't care about walking on sands, or on wet surface. Just to name a few examples. I'm not aware of these things until I hear comments from teachers and started reading forums like these.

Hi, preschool teacher again. It sounds like your DD may just have strong sensory preferences, it may just be that she's really sensitive to these forms of sensory input. It does not sound like a cause for alarm, but always a good idea to ask your pediatrician about it, see if he/she thinks it warrants more follow up or not. I think it becomes an issue when the child cannot tolerate sensory things that they can't realistically avoid, such as the feel of clothes on their back. If it is more limited avoidance, not such a problem. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do PPs mean about kids having sensory or textural issues? Not snark, I'm just not sure what this means. Examples?

Preschool teacher here again: Some children have sensory processing issues. They either enjoy or are repelled by certain forms of sensory input. Some really enjoy touching smooth things, or fuzzy things, or whatever. Others HATE the sensory experience of something sticky, or damp, etc. It seems that these sensory preferences are on a continuum, with some just being likes and dislkes -- like squishing wet sand beneath your feet is good or awful. For others, it is truly a sensory overwhelm OR underwhelm. It can be that the child's sensory "settings" are kinda off, so that a little bit of touching something squishy feels like A LOT, and is overwhelming sensory input, overstimulating and unpleasant. For others, their internal sensory "settings" are dialed way down, and they seek out sensory input -- they need to push and pull and pound and knead things, they need to move a lot to get enough of the sensory feedback of that experience.

For some kids, these sensory processing issues also go along with another special need, like autism. But not for all kids. I had a 3 year old in a class who had behaviors consistent with autism, and he could pour sand, or dried rice, for 30 minutes at a time, he REALLY enjoyed the sensory input he got from that activity. There was little else he could do for more than 5 minutes at a time. It was also a good way to calm him down if he was overloaded by other experiences and was losing his composure. For other more typically developing kids, sensory play is just one more type of experience, trying new things, noticing how different things feel.

+1. Thank you for your input once again. I'm the poster with the 1.5 year who has sensory issues. To answer the question posted, my DD doesn't like to get her hands dirty. Teachers told us she doesn't enjoy making a mess like her peers. She doesn't like walking barefoot outside. Doesn't care about walking on sands, or on wet surface. Just to name a few examples. I'm not aware of these things until I hear comments from teachers and started reading forums like these.

Hi, preschool teacher again. It sounds like your DD may just have strong sensory preferences, it may just be that she's really sensitive to these forms of sensory input. It does not sound like a cause for alarm, but always a good idea to ask your pediatrician about it, see if he/she thinks it warrants more follow up or not. I think it becomes an issue when the child cannot tolerate sensory things that they can't realistically avoid, such as the feel of clothes on their back. If it is more limited avoidance, not such a problem. Good luck!

Yes, she doesn't have a big sensory issue. We are encouraging to try new things/textures and she has a more cautious personality in general.

[Anonymous]

ONe of my regrets is not doing this for my DD. She always LOVED these at preschool or wherever. I never got my act together to set it up at home.