How to make your own Sensory Boards

Developmentally Owen is around 9-12 months old.  Like any child of that developmental age he loves to explore with his hands, touching, pulling and scratching.  He doesn’t always like to play with toys how you would traditionally play with them nor does he always like your traditional toys. His fine motor skills are a long way behind and he is still developing the use of his vision. 

When he was younger we attended a playgroup at a Special School that used Lilli Nielsen's Active Learning Program.  These sensory boards are my take on the boards they used.  They help him explore and learn to use his hands and vision.

Preparation

Think about your child, what interests them (sound, vision and touch wise) and what skills you are trying to develop.  Think about some types of boards you want to set up i.e do you want them to scratch, poke, pull, feel etc.  Then progressively buy things that meet that criteria.  I find “junk” or “cheap” shops excellent.  I look in their party, pet toy, toy and kitchen sections.  Sometimes baby and paper.   Once you have all your supplies it is time to put it together. Decide what you want on each board and where. 

What you need:

•          Various plastic chopping boards
•         Cable ties
•          Elastic
•         Sensory items you want to attach
•         Drill
•         Nail clippers
•          Scissors
•         All purpose glue (if you are making a scratch type board)

Pull items

• Lay out the items and decide where you need to attach the items (you will need two holes for each point you are attaching something), 
• Drill holes in the board
• If you want the item to move to and from the board (maybe to the mouth or to be shaken), attach with elastic (knot it really well)
•  If you want the item to stay in place, attach with cable ties, trim ties with the nail clippers (this ensures you get really close to the base and there are no sharp bits to cut little hands)

The example to the right is a chopping board I bought for $2, with some plastic practice putting balls and some toddler training cups I bought for $2 from Big W. I drilled a hole in the bottom of each cup (need to be very gentle and slow as they can crack).  The concept around it is for Owen to reach in with his fingers to pull out the balls, thus working on his pincer grasp and eventually pointing.

Scratch board

Cut items to size, lay out items you want on the board, glue and leave to dry. There is an example of one on the first picture.

Some example boards:

The “board” one to the right is a biscuit tray (make sure it is not too non-stick or your duct tape won’t stick) with bicycle spoke attachments inside and a cake cooling rack sticky tapped with duct tape.  I am hoping it will encourage finger pointing.  Also makes a lovely sound when shaken

To the right, pull and vibrate cat toys.  You can get some brightly coloured ones and they are usually around $3.00 per mouse.

Other ideas: gloves filled with rice, wooden foot roller massager, brushes, various ribbons and strings, beads, squeaky dog toys, artificial grass, sponges, dusting gloves, spoons, castanets (Daiso have really nice ones), whisks.

Always supervise when using as nothing is 100% secure.  Good luck and happy creating. 

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