Sharla Kostelyk

My Fall Feelings Mini Book

This fall feelings mini book allows children the chance to process their thoughts and feelings about different events that happen in the autumn. When kids practise talking and writing about their emotions, they are better able to manage them in a healthy way.

The pages include some common autumn scenarios such as raking leaves, going to the pumpkin patch, and playing in the leaves.

It also gives students the chance to express what they like about fall and what they don’t like about fall. For some students, it may be easy to think of things they like about winter and they may need some prompting. For others, it may be their favourite season and they may need help to come up with things they don’t like!

My Fall Feelings Mini Book:

Supplies needed:

My Fall Feelings mini book printable pages. (download here)
scissors
pencil or pen
markers, crayons, or pencil crayons
stapler and staples

Instructions:

Download the My Fall Feelings mini book.
Print out the pages.
Cut apart the booklet pages.
Let your student decide how he or she feels about each fall activity and draw the corresponding face on the child on that page. Your student can use the Emotions Word Bank for ideas (for words to use and for faces to draw).
When your student has completed the book, stack the pages together with the cover on top and staple on the left side to create a little keepsake book.

After your child or student has filled out their booklet, it’s a great time to sit down with them and debrief. If there are some seasonal scenarios that seem to have potential to cause them some distress, together you can brainstorm ways they can better manage those feelings if they arise.

Download your free printable mini book for kids and be signed up for our sensory solutions and activities emails.

Mini books for other seasons:

Other free emotions printables that are perfect for fall:

Homemade Prize Punch Game

By Sharla Kostelyk Leave a Comment

Add some fun and excitement to a birthday party with this homemade prize punch game. This activity is easy to make yourself. It uses inexpensive items that can be purchased at the dollar store.

This DIY punch a prize party game is a welcome addition to any event. It’s a great idea for birthday parties, family game nights, or school or community fairs or carnivals.

This game is based on an old Price is Right game called Punch-a-Bunch. In that game, contestants would punch through for higher ticket prizes, but the concept and fun is the same.

Homemade Prize Punch Game

How to Make a Prize Punch Game:

Supplies needed:

paper or plastic cups
tissue paper
ribbon
tape
scissors
poster board
poster board stickers
prizes

Directions:

Fill each plastic cup with small items such as toys or candy. (see our list of ideas below)
Cut the tissue paper into squares, large enough to fit and fold over the top of the cups.
Cover each cup with a tissue square. Tie a ribbon around the tissue paper and tie in a knot.
Curl the ribbon ends.
Repeat this process for the desired number of cups.
Decorate a poster board with stickers. Set the cups on top of the poster board.

How to Play the Prize Punch Game:

There are several ways to play this game. You can choose which one would work best depending on the type of event you’re planning.

Have the birthday child punch the cups for prizes. You can decide how many cups you would like them to punch, either all cups, or as many as the age they are turning. (For example, when my son turned 6, we made 12 cups and he was able to keep the prizes from 6 cups. My daughter is turning 14, so we created about 25 cups and she’ll keep the prizes from 14 of the 25 cups.)
One at a time, have each child at the party punch one cup. They are then able to keep the prize from the cup they chose to punch. This method works very well for classroom parties as well.

What Should I Use as Prizes?

Anything small enough to fit inside your cups will work as a prize. It can be fun to use things that go along with your party theme such as candy necklaces and rings and costume jewelry for a princess party or matchbox cars for a car themed party. This doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. I’ve even included some things on the list that are free!

Here are some prize ideas:

candy
money (coins or bills)
confetti
small figurines
matchbox cars
bubbles
costume jewelry
crayons
small containers of playdough (homemade or store bought)
beads
small plastic toys
trading cards
gift cards
stickers
erasers
socks
hair accessories
makeup or nail polish (think teen girl party!)
pieces of paper with affirmations on them
homemade coupons for things like a later bedtime or special time with mom or dad

Variations on the Punch a Prize Game:

Advent Calendar. Use it as an advent or countdown calendar. Number each cup and every day, your child can punch through and take their prize of the day as they count down towards Christmas or another event. Each cup could contain a chocolate, a small prize, or a paper with a holiday activity written on it.
Christmas Punch a Prize. Make this a Christmas Punch Prize Game by using holiday tissue paper and filling the cups with holiday themed surprises. Wonderful for all ages!
Punch Prize Board. Use hot glue to secure the bottoms of the cups to a foam board. Once dry, prop the board up or hang it.
Pair with Another Game. Use the punch prizes to reward the winners of another game such as the winning team in a Minute to Win It challenge.
Customize. Depending on the theme of the party or time of year, you can customize your game by changing the colour or design of the tissue paper on the cups, the colour of the cups themselves, the decorations on the poster board, and the prizes inside the cups.
Incentivize it. Set up the punch prize board and use it as a reward for chores being done, goals reached, books read, potty prizes, etc.

Check out some of our other awesome party games:

Unique Wedding Songs for the Big Day

By Sharla Kostelyk Leave a Comment

Choosing the right songs for your wedding day set the tone for the entire event. Music creates the soundtrack for the day. That sounds like a lot of pressure. The good news is that it’s the one day you’re allowed to make it about what you want. Find unique wedding songs to help personalize your celebration.

It’s your day. Songs that are personal for you, have history for you as a couple, or fit your taste are ultimately the best choice.If you’re looking for an upbeat, happy vibe, you’ll want to choose songs that fit that criteria. If you’re wanting to set the stage for romance, the right songs will go a long way. Whatever mood you want to set, music is the place to start.

Have you ever had one of those summers where you go to four weddings and all of them seem to play the same exact songs? Don’t choose the hits of the year or songs that are played to death.

Personally, I prefer to find underrated or uncommon songs. I’m a lyrics person, so for me, it’s all about the words.

Whether you’re into lyrics or melody, the following lists will help you find the perfect song for your wedding.

Unique Wedding Songs:

Your Man by Josh Sahunta

I’m partial to this one because we were fortunate enough to have Josh sing this song live as our daughter walked down the aisle in our backyard last year for her wedding. Josh wrote it the year before for his wife to walk down the aisle to at their wedding so you know it’s a special one.

It was a precious moment when Josh sang this as our oldest daughter walked on the grass towards her soon-to-be husband.

“Sometimes, I feel I’m dreaming
You’re too good to be true
I’d spend all of my hours
Just to prove it to you

And I would wait my whole life just to hold your hand
And do it all again just for you to understand
That I won’t leave your side if things don’t go as planned
I give all I had ’cause I will be your man…”

Start the Day by Aaron Howard

This song to me is relationship goals. Listen to the lyrics and you’ll see what I mean. A marriage built on this foundation will be a strong one.

My husband and I were at a small bar in Arizona for our anniversary and Aaron was playing cover songs. We soon discovered that the other two couples there that night were also celebrating their anniversaries which were on the exact date of ours! Upon hearing the story, Aaron sang us an original he had written inspired by an elderly couple he had seen walking hand in hand, seemingly still very much in love. This was that song.

The Story by Brandi Carlile

There’s something so raw and earnest about this one. It’s endearing in a bit of an angsty way. Perfect for a unique couple. Great for a mature relationship as well.

I Love You More by Avery Anna

“I love you more than any storm that’s coming. Let the sky keep falling. Yeah, the world’s got nothing on us.” This song makes you feel as if together, you can take on the whole world.

That’s What Love Is by Alexandra Kay

This song pays tribute to the road and hardships before getting to the wedding day as well as touching on the journey yet to come. “Here’s to the nights that we spent crying. The weight of the world hanging on our shoulders…Felt like the rain would never quit. But you took my hand and we slow danced through all of it.”

Never ‘Til Now by Ashley Cooke and Brett Young

If you’re someone who never pictured yourself settling down and then you met the one you can’t live without, this is the tune for you.

Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland

Looking for something upbeat, fun, and even a bit cheeky? This one is great, especially for long time couples who are finally tying the knot.

Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk

With lyrics like “I’d fall for you twice if that’s what you wanted. I’d give you my life from now till forever. I’m falling in love with you over and over again.”, it’s easy to see how this one made our list.

I’d Leave My Happy Home for You by Josh Sahunta

“You take me deeper than possessions. This love is my confession to you. And all this time I’ve been searching for an answer and you’re the one my heart is running to.”

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

This iconic song is great for getting toes tapping and smiles broadening.

All I Want Is You by U2

I couldn’t create a list of love songs without including at least one from U2. My husband is a huge fan so this is my little nod to him. Hopefully your marriage ends on a happier note than the music video!

I Want It All by Kat & Alex

The fact that these two are real life sweethearts who recently married just makes this song that much sweeter!

When I Found You by Jasmine Rae

Obviously written specifically as a wedding song, this one isn’t as obscure as some of the others, but it’s worth a look. After all, finding someone who helps you find yourself is really what it’s all about. “When I found you, I found my safety and I let it change me and open my world. When I found you, I found myself.”

Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

This was the most popular wedding song in 1996. It’s not heard often at events anymore, but its message still holds up. It can also be used as a father-daughter dance. You can find other songs for the father-daughter dance here.

Carefully choose unique wedding songs for your ceremony, walk down the aisle, first dance, and reception. Consider your own favourites or melodies that hold special meaning for you because of the memories behind them.

Older Love Songs that Stand the Test of Time:

How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding (originally by the Waterboys)
Only Wanna Be With You by Hootie and the Blowfish
Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Stevie Wonder (great for while you’re signing the marriage papers)
Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison
When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge

What unusual or uncommon song did you have at your wedding?

Sensory Hand Soap with Unicorns and Fairies

By Sharla Kostelyk Leave a Comment

We all know how important it is for your kids to wash their hands. But getting your kids to take the time to properly wash their hands isn’t always easy. My favourite way to make hand washing a little more fun is by creating fun hand soaps for kids. And if you have a little one at home who loves magical creatures, like unicorns and fairies, this adorable sensory hand soap is the perfect way to help them have fun while practicing hand washing.

We also have made a Simple Bugs Fun Hand Soap for Kids that’s fun too, especially for kids who like insects.

Sensory Hand Soap

Supplies needed:

Soap container with push dispenser
Liquid hand soap
Toy unicorns and fairy
Beads
Curled blue, purple, white, and pink ribbon

Instructions:

Remove the lid from the hand soap container and set it aside.
Place the toy unicorns, fairy, beads, and curled ribbon into the bottle.
Replace the lid and lightly shake the bottle to move the pieces around.

Unicorn and Fairy Soap Ideas

There are so many fun ways you can decorate the inside of your soap bottle to create a fairy wonderland! In addition to the elements we added to our soap bottles, there are a few other supplies you could mix into your own soap to create a magical sensory bottle for your kids to use in the bathroom, like:

Sequins
Gemstones
Pom poms
Small flowers

What is Sensory Hand Soap?

Educating toddlers and preschoolers is all about learning while playing. And one popular way to keep those young kids engaged is with the help of sensory bottles. Turning a plain soap dispenser into a sensory experience is a great way to help make hand washing a little more fun for little ones. Sensory hand soap takes the concept of a sensory bottle and moves it into the bathroom to help your little ones stay engaged while they learn a practical life skill – hand washing.

How Do You Use Sensory Hand Soap?

Your kids can use this DIY hand soap for kids just like traditional hand soap. Just help your kids wet their hands, then pump a small amount of soap onto their hands. While they’re lathering the soap, they can examine the soap bottle to find the different elements inside.

To get rid of dirt and germs, kids should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Using the hand soap as a distraction is a great way to ensure your kids spend the proper amount of time lathering and washing their hands. As your kids scrub their hands, they could:

Identify each of the different characters inside the soap
Count the pieces floating inside the bottle
Name the colours of each toy, ribbon, and bead in the soap

Bugs Hand Soap

Kitchen Play with Oobleck

By Sharla Kostelyk Leave a Comment

Easily set up hours of fun for your child using common household items and a few pantry supplies with this kitchen oobleck. You’ll likely have everything you need to create this play experience already in your home.

Of all the sensory play recipes, oobleck is the absolute easiest. Chocolate oobleck makes a great pretend mud for play use. We also have made Easter oobleck, Candy Cane oobleck, and lemonade oobleck. Our kids have had so much fun with all of them and I loved how easy they were to make.

Kitchen Oobleck:

Supplies needed:

4 cups cornstarch
2 cups water
food colouring
plastic bin
kitchen tools

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir some food colouring into the water. Mix in the cornstarch to create the oobleck.
Pour the oobleck into a sensory bin (plastic bin) and set the bin on the floor.
Add in some kitchen tools for exploration through play.
Invite your child to discover and learn with the oobleck and kitchen tools.

What kitchen tools should I use?

Really, there is no right or wrong answer here. Use your imagination and invite your child to choose tools as well.

Here are some household items we found worked well:

potato masher
slotted spoon
small strainer
funnel
fork
spoon
spatula
garlic press
tongs
egg separater
meat tenderizer

Cleanup tips:

We love, love, love messy play, but you can set out a shower curtain or dollar store plastic tablecloth underneath the bin to contain the mess in you want.

Never put oobleck down the drain as it will clog.

Clean the kitchen tools as you normally would since the ingredients in the oobleck are edible.

How the Science of Oobleck Works:

Oobleck is not only a great sensory activity, it is also a learning one. Oobleck is what’s known as a non-Newtonian fluid or a suspension. That means it can mimic qualities of both a solid and a liquid.

It’s made of only two ingredients, but it’s the combination of those ingredients that creates the unique properties that can be both a liquid or a solid. When pressure is applied, the cornstarch molecules bond together to create a solid state.

As your child explores through play, they can discover the changes in state that happen as this goes from liquid to solid.

Looking for more great sensory play recipes? Join thousands of others who are loving the five day email series, Sensory Activities and Solutions and you’ll get a free sample of our Sensory Play Recipes eBook.

Interoception – The Mystery of the 8th Sensory System

By Sharla Kostelyk

Have you heard of interoception? The 8th sensory system isn’t as well known as its 7 older brothers and sisters, but it’s equally important.So what is interoception? While the other sensory systems are focused on the perception of external sensations, interoception is the perception of internal sensations.

It is critically important for our kids because it helps them understand and feel what is going on inside their bodies.

Interoception helps kids determine:

heart beating fast or slow
hungry or full
thirsty or quenched
hot or cold
nauseated
itchy
ticklish
breathing regulation
emotion
symptoms of pain or illness

Kids who have interoception challenges may also struggle with self-regulation. Seemingly simple things such as getting a drink of water when thirsty or making it to the bathroom on time are not simple when feeling thirsty or knowing that your bladder is full are sensations that are poorly developed.

It can be more difficult for these kids to recognize their emotions. Many emotions present internal signals such as racing heart for fear or excitement. When these aren’t recognized, learning to recognize the associated emotion is affected as well.

When I first began to learn about the sensory systems and how they were impacting my kids who had sensory processing challenges, interoception wasn’t yet known.

At the time, it was hard enough for me to wrap my head around words like “vestibular” and “proprioception”!

Learning about interoception years later was the key to helping me better understand one of my sons.

The 8th Sensory System

Our youngest son struggled with challenges that I didn’t recognize as being related to sensory because he wasn’t showing the typical sensory seeking or sensory avoiding behaviours. But he seemed to have a hard time recognizing hunger and thirst and he was hot when others were cold and cold when others were hot.

His body temperature issues often led to difficult behaviours as he felt irritable when he felt hot, which was most of the time. He often went outside in our Canadian winters without a coat or gloves on.

His pain tolerance seemed to be off the charts. In fact, he has such a high threshold for pain that he was still playing basketball the day before his appendix almost burst.

These little quirks were quite the mystery.

I have since learned more about interoception and have a better understanding of how it affects him. I have also learned that with interoception, there can also be signs of sensory seeking or sensory avoiding, but they may be more difficult to discern than with the other sensory systems.

One way of thinking about interoception that helped me to better grasp of it is thinking of it as our body’s warning system. There are certain body sensations that lead us to discomfort, danger, or alert us to our body’s needs.

Listening to those signals allows us to rectify the issue (such as drinking when thirsty) leading to self-regulation. When a child (or adult) can’t recognize or identify those signals or is getting the wrong signals, it can cause frustration, stress, and lead to physical repercussions.

Signs your child may struggle with interoception:

eating or drinking too little or too much
rapid or shallow breathing
bedwetting
toileting accidents during the day
frequent bathroom visits
delayed potty training
incontinence or constipation
trouble explaining illness or their symptoms such as nausea, headache, fever, chills, stomach aches, muscle aches
unusual response to pain (pain tolerance that seems too high or too low)
not noticing injuries
reporting pain or discomfort often
difficulty processing stress or emotions
issues with self-regulation
difficulty regulating emotions
having “big emotions”

There is still much to be learned about interoception and research is ongoing. Early indications show that mindfulness, heavy work, and a sensory diet may be effective ways to treat issues with this sensory system.

How to Improve Interoception Awareness for Kids:

Teach kids about their sensory systems, their sensory preferences, and their sensory needs. A great way to do this is with the Teaching Kids About Sensory Starter Kit, specifically the My Sensory Self Workbook and the When I Feel Sensory Overload Workbook. Both of those really help students to get in touch with their own sensory needs.
Model talking about how you are feeling in terms of your internal body signals. “My bladder (point to where this is in your lower stomach area) feels full which means I need to pee. I had better go to the bathroom.” or “That grumble and the empty feeling in my stomach means that I’m hungry and should eat.”
Ask probing questions to help your child focus in on the sensations in their own body.
Help improve their emotional vocabulary and awareness of their own emotions. You can do this with resources such as the Teaching Emotions Toolkit or with emotions activities.
Incorporate heavy work into their day. Every day.
Work on mindfulness.
Yoga is a way for kids to get in touch with the sensations in their bodies. Kids Yoga Stories is a great place to find resources for this or you can check out Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube.

Interoception Resources:

Sensory Processed Explained Teaching Kids About Sensory Kit Breathing Exercises Cards for Kids Yoga Cards for Kids The Interoception Curriculum: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Mindful Self-Regulation Interoception: How I Feel: Sensing My World from the Inside Out My Body Sends a Signal: Helping Kids Recognize Emotions and Express Feelings I Feel… Something: Listening to Your Body for Kids (Social Skills for Kids, Interoception for Kids, Social Emotional Learning)

10 Interoception Activities and Strategies for Kids

I know that if you’re just hearing about this sensory system for the first time, it can feel overwhelming. But it may also feel hopeful once you realize that there may be an explanation for why your child is behaving a certain way or having certain reactions.

When we can better understand our kids, we can better help them.

Sharla Kostelyk

My Fall Feelings Mini Book:

Homemade Prize Punch Game

How to Make a Prize Punch Game:

How to Play the Prize Punch Game:

What Should I Use as Prizes?

Variations on the Punch a Prize Game:

Unique Wedding Songs:

Your Man by Josh Sahunta

Start the Day by Aaron Howard

The Story by Brandi Carlile

I Love You More by Avery Anna

That’s What Love Is by Alexandra Kay

Never ‘Til Now by Ashley Cooke and Brett Young

Stuck Like Glue by Sugarland

Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk

I’d Leave My Happy Home for You by Josh Sahunta

Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles

All I Want Is You by U2

I Want It All by Kat & Alex

When I Found You by Jasmine Rae

Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

Older Love Songs that Stand the Test of Time:

Sensory Hand Soap

Unicorn and Fairy Soap Ideas

What is Sensory Hand Soap?

How Do You Use Sensory Hand Soap?

Kitchen Oobleck:

What kitchen tools should I use?

How the Science of Oobleck Works:

Interoception helps kids determine:

The 8th Sensory System

Signs your child may struggle with interoception:

How to Improve Interoception Awareness for Kids:

Interoception Resources:

Some other articles that can help you better understand sensory processing: