What should I (the caregiver) do during playgroup?

First, be present and engaged. Please do your best not to be on your phone.

Play with your child and talk to other adults in the group. Connect with other adults in the room, those you know and those you don’t yet—remember you are all caring for young children and may have ways to support one another.

Follow your child’s lead and let them show you what

Do you see posts everywhere about sensory play for babies and toddlers? Are you wondering what sensory play is, or why so many people are doing it? Do you just HATE a mess, and so you have avoided sensory play?

Even though it can be messy, sensory play (things like water, play dough, sand, bins of dry rice or pasta, or combinations thereof) is a great way for children to learn many important skills. It really has

To make homemade play dough:

Mix:

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

2 Tablespoons cream of tartar

Add:

2 cups of very HOT water (almost boiling)

Food coloring

Mix until you get a good consistency. There may be some flour left in the bowl. If it is too runny, add some flour. If it is too dry, add a little water.

After it cools, your kids can play with it.

Store in an

Materials for a sensory tub:

(other than the standard sand or water)

• Cornstarch and water
• Cooked spaghetti noodles
• Shaving cream
• Cotton balls
• Oats
• Rice
• Beans
• Paper to rip and/or shredded paper
• Soapy water
• Ice cubes
• Snow
• Ribbons
• Jell-O
• Uncooked pasta
• Dry cereal
• Tin foil
• Grass, leaves, flowers

Tools to add:

• Sponges—car, doll, or toy wash
• Turkey baster, medicine dropper
• Colander, sieve
• Buckets, shovels
• Measuring cups
• Funnel
• Hammer (for dry cereal or pasta)
• Empty bottles or