Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
- Name of Learning Material(s): Sensory Pillow (Different texture fabrics and materials)
- Age Group: 12 to 18 Months
Description of learning materials and anticipated use:
My learning material is a sensory pillow, that is stuffed with three different materials, inside so the child can feel and explore the materials in and on the outside of the pillow. The material that is used in the stuffing is, regular pillow stuffing for the first half, beads for the second half that are sealed in another fabric bag, third half is microbeads which are also sealed in a separate fabric bag. So, the pillow is divided into three different sections, so the children can touch and shake the pillow to hear sounds. On the outside I used mermaid fabric on one side of the sensory pillow, and on the other side I used different textures of fabrics, so that the children can feel and touch them to understand how each fabric is different and the materials that are on the pillow are ribbons of different textures, buttons both big and small and different colored, and different textured flowers, and different texture toys, like the teddy bear and a round rabbit which has two textures on it hard and soft, and a zipper, which they can open and close. There is also a furry sound maker and another small fabric bag that is filled with soft materials. The pillow can be easily washed and changed because there are two pillowcases on top of each other and the children cant reach inside. Children can explore them in different ways this will encourage the development of children. This engages the toddlers three of the five senses; touch, sound, and sight. The materials dont have any sharp edges and wont break if the children will bang it, throw it, or step on it and some of the materials are bright in color that is appealing and stimulating for toddlers. The size of the materials is small, so the toddler can hold it easily. They will explore how the sensory pillow, as they will visually experience the difference in size, colors, and weight. They will discover the different surfaces by touching these materials and will learn their names as we scaffold them for example, look this surface is bumpy, smooth, soft, or rough textures . I would give this to the child, when they are crying or when they want to play. What I anticipate the children will do with the material is, play with it and freely explore, their senses, sound, touch, sight. That will cool them down and help them focus when they show strong emotions.
Belonging:
The sensory pillow I made for this assignment is safe and easy to use, it is made of simple fabrics that are sewn together, and some of the materials that are used on it are everyday use materials and its possible that the child is familiar with these materials. When the child is familiar with the materials the child feels safe in using them and is not afraid or stressed, the child feels belonged. The opportunities to explore the materials on the sensory pillow freely will help the children to develop a sense of belonging to freely be allowed to explore and touch the pillow, in any way they want to explore it, because there is no right or wrong way. When the children freely explore the sensory pillow, they will get encouragement and attention of the caregiver or educator while the children freely, explores and play with the materials that will make the children feel safe and give them a sense of belonging and they will feel that the environment is fit for them. We can modify the sensory pillow in different ways and that will further enhance childrens learning. We can add other types of fabrics as well, that are of different textures, and we can use natural items on it as well to add a different texture dimension. We can also attach the pictures of the childrens family, pets and other items that are meaningful to the children. As all the components of the sensory pillow are familiar and the children might play and see the same items at home this would give the toddlers a sense of belonging when they can touch them, and feel them, and feely explore them, which will allow them to be comfortable with them. In the HDLH this is shown by, childrens sense of belonging and feelings of security are also strengthened when they have opportunities to make and explore connections between home and the early childhood program (HDLH 2014, page 25).
Wellbeing.
The sensory pillow that I made is safe, and open-ended, and easy to use and manipulate and is bias-free. It supports the childrens physical and emotional well-being of the toddlers and doesnt overstimulate the toddlers. The materials are durable and wont break easily if the toddlers will put it in their mouths, kick, throw or step on it. Toddlers can hear sound by shaking the pillow that will stimulate their auditory senses. The sensory pillow is easy to hold, and the children can develop their manipulative skills, by exploring the material on the pillow. The sensory pillow can develop and enhance children with fine motor skills and sensory motor skills. During this stage of toddlers still explore things by putting them in their mouths, and you can easily take the top cover off and wash it and then re-sew it back. In the HDLH this is explained by nurture childrens healthy development and support their growing sense of self (HDLH 2014, page 13) and childrens growing independence and capacity for self-care enables children to tackle challenges, learn to persevere, and explore ways to cope with manageable levels of positive stress (HDLH 2014, page 30).
Engagement.
Active play that allows children to explore with their bodies, minds, and senses, stimulating them to ask questions, test theories, solve problems, engage in creative thinking, and make meaning of the world around them (HDLH 2014, page 35). By providing toddlers the opportunity to freely use and manipulate the materials without any distractions that will engage and support the children with the materials. The children will be engaged in play if they can easily use the materials as they like and if the materials can be used differently. To engage and encourage the toddlers the educator could talk with the toddlers and ask them questions about, what they feel when they touch the fabric on the sensory pillow, for example what do you feel& or what color is the fabric now (here Im asking about the mermaid fabric colors). you can shake the sensory pillow, to hear sound. And is their other items or materials on the sensory pillow that make sounds , when they press the items, their face will change expressions, and that will keep them engaged.
Expression.
Toddlers are still very young and are still learning about things around them. When talking to them, we cant use complex words or phrases. Instead, we can respond by their expressions, sounds and the movements they make when they want to express themselves or have something to say. For the sensory pillow, I can ask simple questions like, for example, what do you feel, from touching the soft fabric? or do you like to touch this and do you want to feel this? . These types of response will help the toddlers communication and language skills and I can also reply with expressive language, that will help the toddlers in promoting their language as well. Conversation can occur with even the youngest infants when adults are attuned to the childs subtle verbal and non-verbal cues and gestures and when they respond by interacting in serve and return exchanges (HDLH 2014, page 41). For examples, if the toddlers are touching or pointing to the sensory pillow or the items on it, and is babbling or try to say some of the items names that they recognize, by pronouncing some of the letters of the words, like ra,ra for rabbit or ba.ba for bear and etc.., I will repeat the sounds the toddler is making and then say the full words, you like the rabbit or bear . By repeating the words and sounds will help with their language skills and will encourage them.
Developmental skills.
The sensory pillow will help toddlers develop in all domains of development, when the toddlers will explore the sensory pillow with the educator it will help develop the toddlers social domain, making eye contact and communicating through different means that can be verbal or by gestures to express them selfs, and the educators loving and caring response towards the toddlers will allow them to feel safe and secure. That will grow trust and respect in the toddlers. I will sit with the child and let them explore and manipulate the sensory pillow this will let me see the development in their physical domain as the child will extend their arms and will use their fingers to touch the materials and them to hold the pillow and practice their palmer grasp. As the sensory pillow has different items of size and shape, that will provide them opportunities to practice their palmer grasp skills. This will show the child gross motor skills. In the ELECT the skills will be, 5.1 Gross Motor Reaching and Holding reaching towards objects ” reaching and holding with palmar grasp (ELECT
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.