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How to Set Up a Sensory Preschool Classroom

Sensory activities provide stimulation for preschool children. People tend to need some movement during the day to keep them awake and alert, reports Children's Memorial Hospital. Keep students involved throughout the school day by encouraging them to physically participate in lessons, such as erasing the chalkboard, dancing between subjects and emphasizing quiet movements. According to the education-based website, Activities For Kids, the point to engaging students in sensory activities is to sharpen each sense individually to enhance all of their senses.

Things You'll Need

  • Instruments
  • Blocks
  • Puzzles
  • Scarf
  • Different texture clothing
  • Color sheets of cellophane
  • Alarm clock
  • Bells
  • CD player or radio
  • Styrofoam cups
  • Vanilla extract
  • Onions
  • Oranges
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Cranberry juice
  • Tomato juice
  • Fruit punch
  • Play dough
  • Pudding
  • Sugar
  • Perfume
  • Ice
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Instructions

    • 1

      Incorporate activity stations throughout the classroom. Each station should have items, such as blocks and puzzles, for the students to play with before class or during free time. Include a treasure chest with costumes, instruments and toys. The costumes should vary in texture, including velvet, silk and feathers. The instruments and toys should appeal to at least two senses.

    • 2

      Place different colored sheets of cellophane in front of each student to sharpen their sense of sight. Have them hold up each sheet and look at the room through the sheet. Go around the room and have the students take turns explaining how they see the room and how they feel about each color.

    • 3

      Use music, alarm clocks and bells to explore their sense of hearing. Play a familiar tune and ask the students to scream out a word when a certain verse of the song comes on. When the chorus hits, tell them to whisper a word in unison. Alternate blindfolding a group of students. Instruct them to locate the sound without their sense of sight.

    • 4

      Test their sense of taste. Line up different cups filled with red-colored juices (fruit punch, cranberry, tomato). If the students are not familiar with these juices, give them a sip of each cup. Then, blindfold students and ask them to identify each juice based on taste.

    • 5

      Play the "It Smells Like" game, in which the teacher blindfolds the students and places a series of objects in front of the students to smell and identify. Gather items, such as vanilla extract, onions, oranges, rubbing alcohol, perfume and bananas for the game. Encourage the children to use and pronounce the words correctly.

    • 6

      Get two foam cups. Punch one hole in one cup, and punch several holes in the other cup. Place their hands under the cups, and pour water into each cup. Ask them to explain the difference in sensations. Also, nurture their sense of touch through exploring consistencies. Have them touch ice, play dough, pudding and sugar. Ask what their hands and fingers tell them about each item. Ask what other things feel like these items.

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