{"id":367,"date":"2020-07-21T15:55:48","date_gmt":"2020-07-21T21:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clearasmud.blog\/?p=367"},"modified":"2020-07-21T15:55:49","modified_gmt":"2020-07-21T21:55:49","slug":"a-sensory-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/?p=367","title":{"rendered":"A Sensory Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\n<p>I\u2019ve been \u201cblessed\u201d; most of our children have high sensory needs\u00a0:). It\u2019s challenging for me, because I really don\u2019t have a lot of patience for hands-on, messy and very-involved activities. So, once again I was forced to get out of my \u201cbox\u201d, my comfort zone, and figure out a way to meet my children\u2019s needs without inflicting misery upon myself. Over the years, I\u2019ve collected quite a few ideas. I\u2019m sure some of them won\u2019t be that original, but you never know, maybe one of these ideas might be new to you and be of help to your family \ud83d\ude42\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul type=\"1\"><li>When Chaya was about two, I noticed that the typical sensory activities that you can do while sitting at the table, wasn\u2019t cutting it for her. She needed a full body sensory experience. At the time, we were working with an awesome therapist, Sarah Webb, and she gave me the most amazing idea, which remains my favorite until this very day. (actually, while I\u2019m writing this, I\u2019m thinking: I have to bring this back for Chana Laya, she would love it!!) Ok, so after this long introduction here it goes: All you need is a large plastic storage container (like something you would use to store clothing) and a huge bag of beans from Costco. THAT\u2019S IT! Pour the beans into the large container and put your kid in the beans and you have a full body sensory experience! You can add some beach toys, buckets, shovels etc. if you want, but you don\u2019t even need it. The goal is to have their entire body immersed in the beans. Let me tell you, it\u2019s awesome and is totally calming for emotionally heightened children.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2OHvfja\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/2OHvfja<\/a> -option for a big storage container<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/2Bp9eCQ\">https:\/\/bit.ly\/2Bp9eCQ<\/a>  &#8211; option for  big bag of beans (you might need more then one bag to fill container&#8230;) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Fill up your kitchen sink with dish soap, be generous with the soap, the more bubbles the better! Put some bath toys in the sink, like rubber fishies,\u00a0\u00a0and have them go fishing. Easy fun and chances are you won\u2019t need to buy anything new.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"963\" height=\"1150\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/02_JULY-21-2020-963x1150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"382\" data-link=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/?attachment_id=382\" class=\"wp-image-382\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1150\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/04_JULY-21-2020-1-900x1150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"386\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/04_JULY-21-2020-1.jpg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/?attachment_id=386\" class=\"wp-image-386\"\/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> A great toy fishing option <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/39jKVm0\">https:\/\/amzn.to\/39jKVm0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking a break from the practical ideas for a minute\u2026. I am pretty new to the whole blogging thing. It\u2019s quite the process for me to brainstorm and come up with a topic that feels right, write it, find the pictures, add links if necessary. Sometimes the writing process happens over a couple days. This post definitely fits into that category&nbsp;\uf04a. Over the weekend my almost 3-year-old Chana Laya really gave me a run for my money. She has officially learned how to climb out of her crib and oh boy is it a nightmare. Long story short, she got into my cosmetic bag (we were at my sister\u2019s house for the weekend) emptied hundreds of dollars\u2019 worth of skincare and makeup and smeared it all over everything and herself. This is not the first time she has done something like this and pretty sure it won\u2019t be the last.&nbsp;&nbsp;In fact, she does this all the time (not usually with so much financial loss). If she is out of my sight for a minute, you can be sure she is smearing something, somewhere.&nbsp;&nbsp;I was exasperated and yet managed to stay calm which was a complete miracle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It just seems so ironic, that as I\u2019m working on a sensory post for my blog, I\u2019m at a loss on how to fill Chana Laya\u2019s sensory needs. The things that worked for Chaya and Menny, don\u2019t seem to work for her. It is my hope that this post will help me brainstorm some ideas that will fit Chana Laya\u2019s sensory needs, which seem to be very specific, rubbing and smearing things on her body (or anywhere within reach for that matter).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting back to my sensory ideas:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>This idea is most practical in the summer and outdoors (will have to figure out how to adapt during the frigid Montana winters). Set up a water table outside, preferably somewhere near a water source, such as a hose, so you can hose them down after they\u2019re done. Each morning, fill the water table with a new liquid\/substance that allows them to get down and dirty. Some examples would be\u2026 shaving cream, finger paint, hey I would even say shampoo and conditioner, as that\u2019s one of Chana Laya\u2019s favorite things to get her hands on. This allows you to provide a controlled environment for them to explore, to check it out by themselves, without destroying your house and getting into things of real monetary value.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01_JULY-21-2020.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01_JULY-21-2020.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01_JULY-21-2020-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/01_JULY-21-2020-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul type=\"1\"><li>Playdough is the last idea I have for now and it\u2019s the one that inspired this whole post. It\u2019s not revolutionary at all, but I\u2019m proposing playdough with a twist.\u00a0\u00a0A friend of mine enlightened me with the idea of adding doTerra essential oils to the playdough, and surprisingly, it elevated the whole experience, and brought a whole new sensory experience to the forefront. Let me be clear:\u00a0\u00a0Adding scent was a game changer. It was super fun to match the color with the scent. I used lavender in the purple playdough, peppermint-blue, tangerine-orange, harvest spice-red. There are endless options and combinations! Have fun playing around! Those of you who know me, know how big a role essential oils play in my life (a more in depth post about that coming soon) and I love this unique way of incorporating them into the kids play life. I found that doing playdough with this special touch, has even engaged my older girls. Chaya loves lavender and she ended up using the playdough while taking a recent test and it was a great sensory stress reliever and the added smell of lavender took it to a whole new level!\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"866\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/11_JULY-21-2020.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/11_JULY-21-2020.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/11_JULY-21-2020-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/11_JULY-21-2020-768x554.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Link for the amazing essential oils that I use<a href=\"http:\/\/my.doterra.com\/chaviebruk\"> my.doterra.com\/chaviebruk<\/a> (happy to help with any questions about oils, one of my passions)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m going to include the recipe I used here, super easy and the texture is amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>1 cup flour&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1 cup water<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2 tsp cream of tartar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1\/3 cup salt<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>1 TBS oil<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Food coloring&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>15-20 drops essential oil of your choice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Love this recipe because you can add all the ingredients at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1090\" height=\"1150\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/08_JULY-21-2020-1090x1150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"375\" class=\"wp-image-375\"\/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Cook over low\/medium heat, stir until the mixture is thick and gathers around the spoon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once dough is not wet, remove and put on wax paper to cool<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1035\" height=\"1150\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/10_JULY-21-2020-1035x1150.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-377\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Kneed palydough for a few seconds<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PLAY!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1150\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/12_JULY-21-2020-900x1150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"378\" class=\"wp-image-378\"\/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1150\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/14_JULY-21-2020-900x1150.jpg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"379\" data-link=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/?attachment_id=379\" class=\"wp-image-379\"\/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Store in an airtight container (should last a while)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Repeat this recipe for as many colors as you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"937\" src=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/17_JULY-21-2020-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/17_JULY-21-2020-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/17_JULY-21-2020-2-300x234.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/17_JULY-21-2020-2-768x600.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I know there are so many sources for sensory ideas, and most of them are probably way more creative and original than mine, but I wanted to create a post for the moms like me, who hate arts and crafts and don\u2019t have lots of patience for intricate multi-step activities. When I go looking for ideas, I usually come away feeling overwhelmed and inadequate, feeling like I\u2019m not a good mom, because I have no interest in doing these things. So, I have learned to adapt ideas to make it work for me and my style. I know that I\u2019m not the only one \ud83d\ude42 so I hope you enjoy these super simple, yet effective ideas.\u00a0\u00a0From one imperfect mom to another.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019ve been \u201cblessed\u201d; most of our children have high sensory needs\u00a0:). It\u2019s challenging for me, because I really don\u2019t have a lot of patience for hands-on, messy and very-involved activities. So, once again I was forced to get out of my \u201cbox\u201d, my comfort zone, and figure out a way to meet my children\u2019s needs [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":369,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,1,4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=367"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":391,"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/367\/revisions\/391"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/369"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mud.webromancy.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}