Sand activities for kids have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more parents are recognizing the numerous benefits of sensory activities for babies 6-12 months and older kids as well.

The sand play play is especially important for kids with hearing loss, who may benefit from additional sensory experiences to help support their overall development.

Sand activities, in particular, offer a wide range of stimulating and engaging opportunities for children to explore different textures, develop fine motor skills, and encourage communication and socialization.

Whether it’s building sandcastles, playing with sand playdough, or simply exploring different textures with their hands and fingers, there are countless ways for children to engage in sensory play with sand.

With my kids, they are always especially quiet and mesmerized when playing in the sandbox in our back yard! Sand activities are something that we have incorporated into our kids’ play for many years. There is something magical and calming about pouring and shoveling the sand!

Playing in the sandbox also gave us many opportunities to practice both speech goals and ASL signing goals with our kids. While they are engaged in sand play, we make sure to highlight vocabulary such as “pour”, “sand” and “pour it in”.

I often practice speech goals in our everyday life with the boys. I have more even more great tips on my blog about incorporating speech goals into your daily routine with kids.

In this post, I’ll explore some of the key benefits of sand sensory activities for kids with hearing loss, and some additional considerations for promoting inclusive play. Let’s get started!

Benefits of Sand Activities for Kids with Hearing Loss

If you’re looking for a fun way to engage your kids with hearing loss this summer, look no further than sand activities!

Not only do these types of activities stimulate multiple senses, but they also help to develop fine motor skills. Whether it’s building sandcastles or burying treasures, moving and manipulating the sand can be an excellent workout for little fingers and hands!

According to Speech Therapy Talk, the best learning for kids takes place when they are engaged and naturally interested in the activity. Sand activities make a natural place where kids want to learn and play! Therefore, it’s a good opportunity to practice speech goals and new vocabulary.

You can find more information on the Speech Therapy Talk blog about using speech goals with sand activities.

Sand Activities for Sensory Play

SAND CASTLE PLAY

Sand activities are a classic form of sensory play that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. It’s a fun way to get your hands (and maybe even your feet) a bit dirty!

One popular option is sandcastle building, which can be done with different molds and tools to create stunning designs. With molds and tools at your disposal, your child can build their very own fortress or castle complete with moats and towers.

Our favorite sand castle building tools that my kids are using right now are these toys with different sand molds and it even has a dump truck to transport the sand!

It’s also a great way to explore the different textures of sand and engage in hands-on creativity.

Feeling the grains of sand between their fingers and toes is a wonderful tactile experience that can help develop a child’s sensory awareness. 

SAND DOUGH

If you’re looking for a fun way to keep the kids entertained inside on a rainy day, sand playdough might just be the answer.

The best thing about it is that you can make it at home easily- all you need is flour and oil!

Make sure to check out this recipe on Busy Toddler about how to make the perfect sand cloud dough for your kids to play with for hours!

Once you’ve mixed the ingredients together, you’ll have a cloud-like dough that can be molded and shaped in countless ways.

Engage the kids in tactile play by allowing them to squish and squeeze the sand playdough in their hands. The added sensory experience of playing with the squishy sand will take play time to the next level.

SAND EXPLORATION

Sand exploration is a great way to introduce your child to different textures and sensations while also allowing them to use their creativity.

Let your child go wild with their hands and fingers as they dig and poke at the sand. Add in some shells or rocks and watch as their imagination runs wild as they discover new things in the sand.

Not only is sand exploration a fun sensory activity, it can also be a great way to teach your child about different materials and textures. So grab a bucket and shovel and let the sand play begin!

Sand Activity Language PRACTICE

There are a few strategies that can help make the experience with sand activities more enjoyable and inclusive for kids with hearing loss.

One option is to incorporate sign language into sand activities. While your child plays, you can practice the signs for “sand” “shovel” and “scoop”.

Another approach is to encourage verbal communication by helping kids to practice speaking and listening skills in a fun and engaging setting. Sand activities provide a fun way to practice vocabulary words and phrases like “pour the sand” and “pour it in”.

By incorporating these techniques, kids with hearing loss can feel more confident and supported as they explore and play.

Sand sensory activities are an excellent way to engage kids with hearing loss in play that stimulates multiple senses and supports overall development.

It’s also important to consider the unique needs of children with hearing loss by incorporating appropriate communication strategies such as sign language and encouraging verbal communication.

Caregivers and educators can embrace inclusive practices by providing a range of sensory play activities and encouraging all kids to participate.

By promoting inclusive sensory play, we can enhance the learning and development of all children.

Don’t forget to download your free Sensory Play Guide!

MORE RESOURCES

Creative Bubble Activities for Kids

Ultimate List of Song Activities for Babies

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