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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Glurch, Oobleck and Clean Mud!

Sensory experiences are critical in a child's life. Between the ages of one and five they learn the most through their senses. Offering lots of sensory experiences encourages curiosity and creativity. For children with sensory issues finding ways for them to get the sensory experiences they need can make the difference between a bad day and a great one.

Plus, it's just dang fun!

Here are three recipes for some great tactile experiences.

Glurch

2 C Glue (clear glue can be used to make clear glurch)
1/2 C Water
Mix glue and water in a bucket, then add and mix:
1/3 C Water
2 tsp Borax (available in the laundry section)

That's all there is to it! Glurch is great for playing with, and can also be used with scissors for cutting practice.

Oobleck
Source: Great Beginnings in Science
Materials:
cornstarch
mixing bowls
water
individual trays

1. Allow the children to feel the dry cornstarch. Does it feel powdery? Is it hard or soft? What color is it?

2. Mix the cornstarch and water together in a big mixing bowl until the mixture becomes real gooey. Sink your hands together in the oobleck. How does it feel?

3. Ask the children to each take a tray. Put some of the oobleck on each one (the trays will help contain the squishy oobleck).

4. Ask the children to try and take some oobleck into their hands. Is it soft or hard? Have them rub a small amount of oobleck between their hands. What happens? (the heat of their hands and the rubbing will turn it into a solid)

5. Stop rubbing. What happens now? (the mixture turns back into a liquid)

6. Use an eye dropper to mix some food coloring into the oobleck. What happens when you mix two colors together?


Clean Mud
Materials:
2 bars of shaved bar soap
6 rolls of shredded toilet paper
2 C warm water

Blend with hand mixter until mixed thoroughly. Great to put into sensory table along with cups, containers, etc.


Note: there will always be children who have a difficult time with these kind of sensory experiences. Continue to offer them, but don't push them beyond their comfort level.

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1 comment:

Upstatemamma said...

These are so much fun!!! I've used them so many times - they are super entertaining. :)