Epic Childhood - Reggio, Light Table Play, and Light Play: March 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

11 items to help your kid with social anxiety disorder

My twins were born 32 week preemies and they both have some social anxieties, however one of my twins has severe social anxiety disorder.

It grew worse as he got older, no matter how much he was "socialized" with other kids around his age. We attended tons and tons of playdates between 1 year and 4 years old.

I even was the organizer of a local playgroup. However from ages 1-4 there was a low amount of friend interaction despite any efforts made. They ended up choosing certain kids that they felt were acceptable to play with but the list started to get smaller and smaller. Then the list was down to two kids. Little things would both them like a kid would have a meltdown or crying fit, or hit, or be bossy, or be too rough.

Then about 6 months ago, the list became zero. A series of two of my friends 4 year olds having very loud crying fit meltdowns caused them to want to back off from kids for a while. One of my twins decided he was ok with playing with a select couple of kids he chose, but the other twin wants absolutely nothing to do with any child to this day. I used to be able to take them to local family social events, library story times, parks, playgrounds, Gymboree classes, kid friendly places, etc. Now the twin with social anxiety disorder refuses to o to any of those places and on most days, neither of them want to go to any of those places when it comes down to it.

It is really stressful, I can't invite my friends with young kids over anymore. They won't go on playdates or have a kid over to play. They won't play at the park if any other kids are on the playground or anywhere near the playground. They want nothing to do with Library story time, they won't go to most places anymore. They are weird about kids at the zoo and childrens musems. It is really frustrating. So I have spent some time talking to some experts and compiling a list of ideas to help.

Sometimes taking the "super hero approach" like I like to call it, helps. Wearing a mask, or cape, or helmet with mask can make them feel less insecure. Massagers and rain maker toys can help to relax them. Natural remedies are very helpful too.

We use kids rescue remedy and kids confidence remedy. They are great herbal products that you can get online or at your local health food store.

Here are some items that help with social anxiety.

Find them all and other great options like them HERE

Visit Kristen (Caution! Twins at Play)'s profile on Pinterest.
Follow Kristen (Caution! Twins at Play)'s board Light Tables, Light Boxes, Light Panels & Light Play on Pinterest.
Visit The Ultimate Light Table Guide's profile on Pinterest.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

200 items for Sensory Bins and Sensory Tables

Here is a big awesome mega list of items that can be combined together to make hundreds of amazing and fun sensory bins, sensory boxes, or sensory tables. So next time you are making one, check this list for inspiration!! These item ideas can be used for: Sensory Bin, box, table, water table, sand table etc.

Be sure to check this Pinterest board for 500+ sensory bin/sensory bottle/sand table/water table ideas!

Follow Kristen (Caution! Twins at Play)'s board Sensory and I-Spy Bottles, bags, and bins on Pinterest.

The List!!

ice
water
sand
kinetic sand
moon sand
colored craft sand
floam
modeling clay
clay
play dough
snow
fake snow
acorns
sticks
branches
wood chips
cut pieces of tree branches
pine cones
sawdust
fresh cut grass or fake grass
sod
cedar chips
mulch
pebbles or rocks
wood scraps
aquarium pebbles
corn starch
corn meal
baking soda
flour
jello
uncooked pasta (colored or plain)
cooked pasta (colored or plain)
jelly
popcorn
corn kernels
dried beans
cooked beans
lentils
coffee beans
ice (cubes, chipped, shaved, - dyed or plain)
uncooked rice (colored or plain)
cooked rice (colored or plain)
shredded coconut
oranges (some sliced and some whole)
lemons (some sliced and some whole)
grapefruit (some sliced and some whole)
potatoes (some sliced and some whole)
carrots
green beans
sweet peppers
dry oatmeal or steel cut oats
dry cereal (cheerios, fruit loops, other dry cereals)
cool whip or whipped cream
loose tea
potato flakes
pumpkin guts
nuts in their shells (for those not allergic)
gum balls
hay
dirt
coffee grounds
used coffee grounds
flowers (real or fake)
fish aquarium gravel
leaves (real or fake)
water beads
water polymers
water
shaving cream
sponges (various sizes and shapes)
bird seed
slime (store bought or home made)
gak
silly putty (store bought or home made)
Easter grass
ball pit balls
sensory balls
packing peanuts
sea glass
marbles
glass plant gems
plastic gems
confetti
oobleck
tinsel
crepe paper
tissue paper
wrapping paper
plastic fishing worms (no hooks of course)
plastic animals
plastic people
floating toys
bath toys
foam bits or foam toys
buttons
tri-beads, pony beads, seed beads
fabric scraps
play silks
corks
pom poms
ribbon
yarn
string
craft feathers
feather boas (cut into sections or whole)
mardi gras beads
hawaiian lei's (cut and whole)
bubble wrap
cotton balls
bubble wrap
finger paint or tempera/activity paint
bells
watermelon (half and slices)
poker chips
fake fruit and vegetables
plastic Easter eggs
balloons (fill with air, water, water beads, sand, spices, rice, etc)
hair gel
Old cd's
bingo chips
yarn
shredded paper
cellophane paper
construction paper
small paper squares or tissue paper squares
coins (plastic or fake)
tapioca pearls
Indian corn
Christmas lights
led tea lights
led finger lights
bubble solution and wands
batting
poly-fil
magazines (whole, pages. or pieces cut)
hard boiled eggs
dish soap
body wash
hand soap
bath beads
soap bars
frozen veggies
olive oil
puzzle pieces
fidgets
plastic or wooden cooking utensils
funnels
canning funnels
sifters
strainers
measuring cups and spoons
foam letters and numbers
plastic letters and numbers
old costume/cheap jewelry
moss
garden tools
turkey baster
pipettes
spools of thread (empty or with thread still on them)
ice cube trays
muffin tins
tongs
squeegee
aluminum pie pans
squeeze bottles
cupcake liners (paper, aluminum, or silicone)
Popsicle sticks
chop sticks
small containers with lids
recycled food or juice containers
magnifying glass
spray bottles
safety scissors
cookie cutters
plastic bowls and cups
nets / netting
potato masher
whisk
bucket and pail
clothespins
small plastic containers with lids
dolls and doll clothing
scraps cut from old clothes
small stuffed animals
small unbreakable mirrors
empty spice jars/containers
gel window clings
potatoes (cut in half, slices, and whole)
marshmallows
dried herbs
play dishes
play money
baby cereal (dry or with water)
tea bags and a child's tea set or plastic cups
paperclips
glow sticks
flower or vegetable seeds
small potted herbs, flowers, or veggies and some plain soil
blocks (lego, wood blocks, plastic blocks, mega blocks, foam blocks, magnetic building toys, etc..)

Black light water beads

Here is a recent black light play time! I used discount school supply florescent activity paint and FloraCraft clear water beads to make black light water beads. To grow the black light water beads start by putting a few spoonfuls of dry water beads into some bowls or containers that they can grow in overnight. Then add warm or hot water and some of the fluorescent activity paint then let them grow overnight! Warm or hot water helps them to grow faster and better! Be sure and give them a little stir so the paint mixes up well in the water! If you feel they need to be brighter, add some more paint.

Usually one or both of my twins help out to grow them. They enjoy growing water beads!!

This is an activity we have done many times over the past few years and love it each and every time!!

The bowls that I made the water beads in looked really cool in the black light with the leftover paint still inside! They decided to incorporate their Scooby Doo figurines into the fun! The magnifying glass was really fun with this set up!!

I just put all of the water beads into a big Sterlite clear container and turned on the black lights!! They also used interlox, plastic bracelets, crystal climbers, cocktail stirrers, and shooter tubes. A smurf or two made an appearance as well. haha

29 items to get the fidgets out!

I have a 15 year old with ASD/ADHD/SLD, who goes to an Autism school and is doing very well and catching up on school after a long drawn out battle with trying to make it in public school. I also have a 14 year old and a kindergartner with Aspergers, and a kindergartener with ADHD and other learning issues due to brain bleeds at birth and a grand mal seizure. I have three teens and twin kindergarteners! I homeschool my kindergarteners and it has been going really well so far!

With much research, trying many things, talking to teachers and therapists at Autism schools and therapy facilities, I have found the best products to help your fidgety child concentrate!!

I recommend starting with the headphones and yoga ball if you are on a budget!!

I added all of the items, which are not all pictured here, to my amazon store.