Unlocking the Benefits of Sensory Bins and Fidgets for Kids’ Development and Calm

Have you ever noticed that certain textures or activities help your child calm down or refocus? Maybe they love squeezing Play-Doh or need to fiddle with small objects when sitting still for too long. This can seem like just a fun distraction, but these activities offer profound benefits for a child’s sensory and emotional needs. For children who have big emotions or struggle to stay focused, sensory bins and fidgets can be life-changing tools that provide sensory input to help them self-regulate and manage emotions. Just as adults reach for coffee or fidget with a pen to regulate themselves to maintain a calm alertness level, sensory bins and fidgets can provide children with their own “tools” for managing their sensory needs.

Sensory bins can also be an excellent alternative to screen time when you need to keep your child entertained while you’re busy, like preparing dinner. Set up a sensory bin in a safe spot near the kitchen where you can keep an eye on them and let them explore while you work. Not only does this keep kids engaged and away from screens, but it also offers them valuable tactile and motor experiences that help build focus and self-regulation skills. Plus, it can become a fun part of their routine that they look forward to each day!

Benefits of Fidgets and Sensory Bins

Sensory bins and fidgets are versatile and can be tailored to suit different sensory preferences and needs. Here are the many benefits of incorporating these sensory tools into your child’s routine:

• Calms and Organizes the Nervous System: The tactile input from sensory bins and fidgets helps soothe children. This tactile input can reduce anxiety, help them regulate emotions, and organize their thoughts, making it easier to transition between tasks.

• Provides Deep Pressure Relief: Squeezing items like fidgets, putty, or Play-Doh gives the body the pressure it craves, helping children calm down, stay focused, and manage their emotions better.

• Distraction and Focus: Fidgets provide a gentle, positive distraction that can help children focus better, whether they’re doing homework or listening to instructions. They’re especially helpful for kids who struggle with attention or need something small to keep their hands busy.

• Reduces Unwanted Coping Behaviors: Chewy sensory fidgets are an ideal outlet for kids who might otherwise chew on clothing, bite their nails, or engage in other stress-related behaviors. This way, they have a safe way to release that need.

• Increases Tolerance to Touch: Kids who are sensitive to textures or who might be picky eaters can benefit from sensory bins, as they offer a safe way to explore new textures at their own pace. Gradual exposure to different textures can help reduce sensory sensitivity.

• Promotes Fine Motor and Cognitive Development: Sensory bins can be loaded with fine motor tools like scoopers, tongs, cups, and sorting objects. These items help strengthen hand muscles, improve hand-eye coordination, and even promote cognitive skills, like sorting, matching, and counting.

• Customizable and Fun: Sensory bins are easy to adapt to each child’s interests. For example, you could add small pumpkins and colored rice for a fall theme, or dinosaurs and sand. Changing out materials seasonally keeps the activity fresh and engaging.

• Slow Exposure for Sensitive Kids: For children who are hesitant to touch messy textures, sensory bins can offer slow, gradual exposure. Start with dry ingredients and encourage the use of a small shovel or spoon, and eventually work toward direct touch in a comfortable way.