Farm animal sensory play provides numerous benefits for toddlers, including promoting their cognitive, emotional, and physical development. Sensory play activities, such as small world play, allow children to engage their senses and explore the world around them in a fun and interactive way.
Here is an exciting and educational sensory play activity for toddlers that combines farm animals, matching, and sensory exploration:
Step 1: Gather materials. You will need farm animal figurines, farm animal flashcards, a bin or tub, cocoa powder, water, corn kernels, oatmeal, and a washing station.
Step 2: Set up the matching activity. Spread out the farm animal flashcards on a flat surface and have the toddlers match the farm animal figurines to the corresponding flashcards.
Step 3: Create the sensory bin. Mix together cocoa powder, water, corn kernels, and oatmeal to create a taste-safe mud that the farm animal figurines can play in. Place the sensory bin on a flat surface and let the toddlers use their imagination to have the animals play and explore in the mud.
Step 4: Establish the washing station. Fill a tub or basin with water and place it nearby. Show the toddlers how to take the farm animal figurines to the washing station to clean them after playing in the mud.
Step 5: Encourage imaginative play. Encourage the toddlers to use their imagination and creativity to play and explore with the farm animal figurines in the sensory bin and washing station.
Week-Long Lesson Plan: Teach Toddlers About Farm Animal Life
Day 1: Introduction to farm animals and matching activity
Show the toddlers the farm animal flashcards and introduce them to the different animals.
Have them match the farm animal figurines to the flashcards.
Day 2: Sensory exploration in the mud
Set up the sensory bin and encourage the toddlers to explore the mud with the farm animal figurines.
Day 3: Cleaning time at the washing station
Show the toddlers how to take the farm animal figurines to the washing station to clean them after playing in the mud.
Day 4: Animal habitats and homes
Talk to the toddlers about where different farm animals live and what their homes look like.
Day 5: Farm animal sounds and movements
Show the toddlers videos or demonstrate the sounds and movements of different farm animals.
Day 6: Farm animal food and care
Talk to the toddlers about what different farm animals eat and how they are taken care of.
Day 7: Review and recap
Review what the toddlers have learned about farm animals throughout the week.
This farm animal sensory play activity provides an exciting and educational experience for toddlers, promoting their sensory, cognitive, and physical development. Incorporating this activity into your lesson plans will allow toddlers to learn about farm animals in a fun and interactive way.
