I feel like having a toddler around has helped me understand the role of sensory work and play far better than before parenthood. I even look back on my own childhood and remember moments where I can recall feeling dysregulated or something was off. I never liked the feeling of itchy socks on my toes. I hated having my hair done because of how it felt. When I initially started learning more about sensory play, one of the most powerful pieces was that everyone has sensory needs. Sensory regulation does not require a diagnosis, label, or “special” treatment. We all have the power to feel regulated or dysregulated by the work of the senses. Incorporating sensory experiences into the secondary English Language Arts (ELA) classroom can ignite students' creativity, deepen their understanding, and make writing come alive. By engaging multiple senses, educators can create a dynamic and immersive environment that inspires students to express themselves through writing. We can also help our students regulate their own systems and challenge behavior issues that are tied to classroom management. In this blog post, we will explore 10 sensory writing activities that can transform the ELA classroom into a hub of sensory exploration and literary expression.

After 13 years in secondary education, you start to feel like you know a thing or two about working with kids. You feel good about your strategies, you revise lessons that have already been made, and you hone in on your craft as an educator and a teacher of reading and writing. You have a pile of successes and losses that you can relate back to when you feel like you need direction. You understand the work that goes into helping students in grades 6-12 learn how to really care about reading and writing.

Then, you realize after having your own child that it is possible to start over. To be a beginner again. There is something amazing about starting at the beginning of something. The beauty in starting over is that you are humbled by the idea that you are a constant student of learning. I know I said this for years in my own classroom, but feeling like an utter beginner in many senses has been exciting, but also frustrating.

I have a toddler, like many toddlers, who loves all things sensory. She is sensory seeking in many ways. She loves books, but she is also on the go. I wanted to start introducing her to more ideas that were themed or grouped together to help her with learning her words and put ideas together. We also needed to insert something into our daily mama and daughter routine that we could look forward to each day either before lunch or after the nap.

Cue early literacy learning bins for our weekday unboxing during downtimes.

By incorporating sensory activities into her early literacy world, I can create a stimulating and engaging environment that enhances their cognitive, language, and motor skills. In this blog post, I present a 7-day overview of sensory early literacy learning bins tailored specifically for toddlers aged 1-3. Each day focuses on a different theme, allowing a little one to explore and discover various concepts while having fun. As always, take what you need from my ideas.

Let's dive in!