Sharla Kostelyk

Fall Leaves Slime

Fall happens to be my favourite season. The colours, the crisp cool air, and the feeling of change and new beginnings are what I love most. This fall leaves slime enables me to bring a bit of that feeling inside.For this slime, I used maple leaf confetti that was leftover from the Fall Leaves Sensory Jar I made. By making both, I was able to get maximum use out of purchasing the confetti.

Slime is great for sensory input. It provides visual and tactile input and with the kneading and stretching, it also gives good proprioceptive feedback. These are an important part of your child’s day and slime provides a fun way to get them in.

Fall Leaves Slime

Supplies:

6 oz. bottle clear Elmer’s Glue
approximately ¼ cup warm water
½ tsp. baking soda
1½ Tbsp. contact lens solution (be sure that it contains boric acid)
maple leaf foil confetti
optional: 1 ½ tablespoon glitter in copper, gold, and red

Directions:

Empty the glue into a large bowl.
Fill the empty glue bottle about ⅓ full with warm water (this will be about ¼ cup) and seal with the lid. Shake well to combine the remaining glue and water. Pour this mixture into the bowl with glue and stir to combine.
Add the baking soda to the glue and mix thoroughly.
If you are adding glitter, stir the glitter into the glue mixture in this step.
Add the contact lens solution to the glue mixture and stir well. Add the contact lens solution slowly, mixing between additions. Only add enough to bring the glue together into a soft ball.
Remove the slime from the bowl allowing any excess liquid to remain in the bowl. The slime will be sticky. Begin to play with the slime, kneading it as you would bread dough to bring the slime together. The slime is ready when it is no longer sticky.
Set the maple leaf foil confetti on top of the slime and knead it in, stretching and pulling until everything is well combined.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator when the slime isn’t being played with.

For a different look, you could also make this slime with glitter glue in place of the regular glue. This will create an entirely new look.

You may also be interested in these fall slimes and sensory activities:

Fall Leaves Sensory Jar

Simple Hallowe’en Glitter Slime

Pumpkin Scented Puffy Paint

Easy Fall Sensory Bottle

Fall Leaves Sensory Jar

By Sharla Kostelyk

This fall leaves sensory jar can be for sensory exploration or as an autumn decoration or both. Bring the colour and feel of the season inside.While we normally make sensory bottles in all kinds of themes, I thought a sensory jar might be a nice change. The size allows it to sit nicely on a mantle or counter as a decoration when it’s not being used as a sensory toy.

Fall Leaves Sensory Jar

Supplies:

8 oz. plastic storage jar
6 oz. bottle Elmer’s yellow glitter glue
approximately ½ cup warm water
1 Tbsp. maple leaf foil confetti
optional: seasonal cupcake liner, washi tape, duct tape, or pine cones for decoration

Directions:

Empty the yellow glitter glue into the jar.
Fill the empty glue bottle about half full with warm water (about ¼ cup) and seal with the lid. Shake well to combine the remaining glue with the water. Pour into jar with the glue and stir to combine.
Add the maple leaf confetti.
Seal the jar and shake well. If the glitter or confetti don’t move easily, you can add more warm water. If the glitter or confetti move too quickly, you can add additional glue.
When you’ve got things looking the way you want them to, seal the jar and glue the lid closed to avoid spills.
If you want to, you can cover the lid with a cupcake liner, washi tape, seasonal duct tape, or other decoration. If you want to achieve the look of ours, use a hot glue gun to attach pine cones to the lid.

Note that supervision should be used when giving this jar to children as they will be able to get the lid off and that could make quite a mess! You also don’t want kids eating the contents of this jar so be sure to keep an eye on them with it.

You may be interested in some of other Fall themed sensory play activities:

Easy Fall Sensory Bag

Pumpkin Pie Scented Cloud Dough

Fall Leaves Slime

How to Work Through Emotions with Your Toddler

By Sharla Kostelyk

Have you ever thought about how emotional your toddler can be? Toddlers are some of the most emotional creatures out there. Working through emotions with your toddler takes patience. It can help to remember that toddlers are new to this whole emotion thing and they don’t always know how to navigate those feelings, especially the big ones.

Understanding Toddlers & Their Emotions

Having emotions is a part of being human. We may not always like the emotions that are coming out of our toddler or how they are being expressed, but that doesn’t make their emotions less important. Teaching a toddler to work through their emotions is one of the best parenting moves we can make. Here is how to work through emotions with your toddler:

Acknowledge How Your Toddler Feels

As an adult, you can define your feelings. Toddlers cannot always do that. When your toddler is sad, happy, mad, or upset – help them to acknowledge those feelings. When they can start understanding how they feel, this is a big deal! Don’t try and talk them out of how they feel. Help give them the vocabulary to be able to begin to express their emotions.

Give Your Toddler Tools to Work Through Emotions

Helping your toddler through their emotions can seem like a never ending task. However, they are looking to you to help them through this time period.

You’ll need to guide them through this. For example, if your toddler is mad, give them the tools to help them express their “madness.” Let them draw or even go outside and run around. Toddlers are often too young to be able to use words effectively to express themselves, so using their bodies in ways such as dancing, miming, marching, crawling, painting, or using sensory play.

Another tool that can be helpful with young children is to use puppets, dolls, or stuffed animals to act out different scenarios and the simple emotions and responses that would go along with those emotions.

It’s vital that we give our children tools to help them express their emotions and work through them.

Talk to Your Toddler About Their Emotions

Reassure your child that it is normal and healthy to have feelings. If a toddler is feeling happy or mad, talk to them about these emotions. When someone is happy, they are usually laughing, smiling, and carefree. When a person is mad, they may have a “frownie face” and they aren’t always easy to cheer up.

By talking to your child about their emotions, they start to recognize their own emotions and they will start saying “I am so happy.” “I am sad today.” It’s an amazing feeling to watch a toddler start to understand their emotions. You can use a chart to help them identify the emotion they are feeling at that time.

Practice Patience as You Help Your Toddler with Their Emotions

Sometimes when our toddler hits someone or has a tantrum, it can invoke anger in us. As parents, it’s vital that we don’t let our toddler’s emotions become our emotions. Parenting calmly and patiently is going to teach your child more an angry reaction ever will. That’s easier said than done, but so critical.

As parents, we are the people our children will learn from the most. If we’re struggling with our own emotions, we can’t effectively help them. If you find yourself struggling with anger, frustration, or negative behaviours in response to your emotions, it’s wise to seek counselling before you try and coach your toddler with their emotions.

How Do I Help a Toddler Through Their Emotions?

Now that you have some tips for helping a toddler through their emotions, you may need a few practical ideas you can apply to the situation.

Encourage your child.
Give your child praise.
Get your child on a good routine with mealtimes and bedtimes.
Help your child know what to do when they have emotions.
Let your toddler know that it is going to be okay.

How Can I Help My Child Express Their Feelings?

Expressing emotions is important and toddlers need to know how to express theirs. Here are some tips for helping your toddler express their emotions.

Listen to them as they talk.
Let them talk about their feelings.
Help them find a way to express those emotions (painting, a sport, dancing, breathing).
Talk about different feelings and words to describe those feelings.

Working through emotions with your toddler won’t stop when they’re 2, 3, or 4. You’ll need to help your child through different emotions at different ages. However, being a toddler is difficult because they don’t always have the right words or maturity to work through emotions.

What tips do you have for helping toddlers work through their emotions?

Join thousands of other people who have found help in our free 5 part email series, Little Hearts, Big Worries offering resources and hope for parents.

You may also be interested in reading these articles:

5 Things to Say to Your Anxious Toddler

Calming Your Child’s Fight, Flight, or Freeze Response

At the Beach Nature Sensory Bottle

By Sharla Kostelyk

It’s so easy to create this At the Beach Nature Sensory Bottle. It makes a great memento of a tropical or beach vacation too. You can gather the items while on holiday and bring the bottle home with you to remember the trip by.

I love that this discovery bottle uses things found in nature. Just like our Seashell Fossils in Playdough activity, this allows kids to explore using their senses and items they found themselves.

At the Beach Nature Sensory Bottle:

Supplies:

empty water bottle (I like the look of Voss bottles, but you can also purchase these empty sensory bottles)
seashells
sand
seagull feathers
seaweed
optional: super glue to seal the bottle cap

Directions:

Take a walk on the beach to collect the items you want to include in the sensory bottle.
Wash the items (other than the sand) and lay them out on paper towels to dry. Be sure they are fully dry before adding them.
Pour sand into the bottle until it is 1/4 to 1/3 of the way full. You can use a funnel to make this easier.*
Drop in small seashells, small sand dollars, seaweed, and feathers. You could also add small driftwood or rocks found on your walk.

*If you are on vacation and don’t have a funnel with you (because who brings a funnel on vacation?!), you can roll up a piece of paper into a funnel and pour the sand through that.

You can keep your creation as a keepsake from your vacation. You can use a permanent marker to write the location and year on the bottle and display it in your home.

Sensory and Learning Opportunities:

Sensory: This sensory play activity begins with the walk along the beach. The feel of the sand under their feet, the wind on their skin, the sound of the waves, the smell of the sea all engage the senses.

The experience continues with adding the collected items to the bottle. This beach sensory bottle involves the visual and tactile sensory systems and during the walk, the olfactory and auditory systems. Science: This activity encourages children to explore the world as they get up close to the beach. You can expand on what they learn by providing books about sea life and seashells so that they can discover what animals lived in the shells at one time.

Children can use the books or the internet as a reference for reading about how sand is made, the benefits of eating seaweed, or any other questions they have about the beach or the ocean. Here are some books that would fit well:

The Beachcomber’s Companion Seashells, Crabs and Sea Stars Shells Handbook

Communication: Kids can expand their vocabulary as they learn about the ocean, sea life, and the beach on their walk. They can further that discussion when filling the bottle and exploring it afterwards. This gives them the opportunity to ask questions and to talk about their discoveries.

Other sensory play ideas using things found in nature:

Seashell Fossils in Playdough

Nature Sensory Bottle

Outdoor Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Nature Weaving

Bath Time Sensory Bin with Ice and Gelatin

By Sharla Kostelyk

I love how this sensory play activity came together. I was at the Dollar Store (where I find a lot of my sensory inspiration) when I saw the cutest mini bath toys. It gave me an idea for a bath time themed sensory bin. I made the “water” out of gelatin that I dyed blue. When I added the bath toys, it looked good, but I felt like it was missing something. I wanted to create the look of bubbles in the “water” and I also wanted to add in another sensory dimension.

After considering a few ideas such as adding a layer of shaving cream to add another sensory element and to create the look of foam, I came up with a different plan. I decided to make round ice cubes and dye them blue. This would create the look of bubbles in the bath.

It would also add another sensory rich experience by adding cold and by allowing kids to explore different states of matter as the ice melted. I really love the way this sensory bin turned out!

Bath Time Sensory Bin:

Materials needed:

plastic bin
4 packs of gelatin
blue food colouring
water
round ice cube holders
small bath toys
optional: plastic knives, spoons, or scoops

Directions:

Make the gelatin according to the package directions, adding a few drops of blue food colouring to the water. Stir it directly in the bin. Allow to set. I put ours in the fridge to set.
Mix some blue food colouring in a pitcher of water and pour into the round ice cube mould. Freeze.
Add the bath toys to the bin on top of the gelatin once it has set.
After the ice balls are fully frozen, place them in the bin.
Let the play begin!

My kids enjoyed exploring in this bin. One of my daughters wanted to cut the shape of a fish out of the gelatin. She used a plastic knife and was easily able to cut out a jello fish. She later wanted to taste it. Since there’s no harm in that since it’s a taste safe sensory bin, she went ahead and took a bite. I hadn’t added any sugar to the gelatin, so she wasn’t a fan of the taste!

Sensory and Learning Opportunities:

The contrast of the moist, gummy gelatine and the cold, hard ice creates a really awesome sensory experience! This activity engages the visual, tactile, and gustatory (taste) sensory systems.

As kids explore through their senses, they learn about the world around them and about how to engage that world. They improve their communication by talking about what they are seeing, tasting, and feeling and by asking questions. Their vocabulary increases as they learn to describe certain textures, colours, or tastes.

Join thousands of others who have signed up for our Sensory Solutions and Activities email series and get a free sample from our Sensory Play Recipes eBook.

Here are some other toddler sensory activities you may be interested in:

Calming Bedtime Sensory Bottle

Condensed Milk Painting

Edible Shark Fluffy Slime

Setting Up an Effective Morning Routine for School

By Sharla Kostelyk

The school year is back in session and many of us are trying to get our children out the door in the morning. I can’t even tell you how hard this is! This can be rough for kids, especially when transitioning back into a morning routine for school. They feel exhausted. Some kids have a hard time with the idea of being gone all day. You can help get your child out the door in the morning by following these tips:

Tips for Getting Your Child Out the Door in the Morning

Are you tired of fighting your child in the mornings? Morning routines can come with a lot of drama. However, there are some things you can do to take some of the stress out. You don’t have to be stuck in a rut of screaming and yelling to get your kids to listen to you. Here are some ideas for how you get your child out the door in the morning with less work on your part:

Going to Bed Earlier

According to studies, most kids are not getting enough sleep. Lack of adequate sleep can lead to problems with attention and focus, behavioural issues, drops in academic performance, and serious health issues.

You may feel as though your child can go to bed late and still wake up at a decent time. Pay attention to how your child does based on the amount of sleep they get. Experiment for a month and see if more sleep means easier mornings.

I know that an earlier bedtime can be a challenge, but on top of the health benefits, it can help them wake up feeling more refreshed in the morning. Note that it takes at least two weeks to establish a new habit, so you may not see changes right away when you implement a new bedtime. Be patient. In time, you may see that getting your kiddos out the door in the morning is easier than ever when they’ve had enough sleep.

Using Timers

Do any of your kids struggle with time management? If this is the case, then including a timer in your morning routine for school is a GREAT idea.

Some kids just need to know how much time they have. This is totally okay because each child has different motivators and using timers may work for your child in the mornings.

Instead of setting a timer for when they have to be out the door, set timers for smaller tasks such as ten minutes until their teeth need to be brushed and their face washed. Set another timer for them to “beat” for getting dressed and then another for breakfast and so on.

Visual Schedule

Visual schedules are such a great tool for kids. They allow kids to see what is coming next. They also give clear expectations about what needs to be done.

Having something visual to look at can keep kids on task, which in return can help kids get out the door in the morning.

Visual schedules were a game changer for us when it came to the kids’ morning routine. They were especially effective with our kids with special needs to break things into smaller tasks.

For a lot of kids, it’s easy to forget what they were doing if just told “get dressed”. If that same instruction is broken down into “underwear”, “pants”, “shirt”, “socks”, “shoes”, it is much easier to accomplish. But you’re busy too and don’t want to spend the morning nagging. This is where the visual schedule comes in.

Talk About Something to Look Forward to in the Day

Sometimes mornings are super rushed, which in return can take the fun out of the day. Talk to your child about something they have to look forward to in the day. Maybe you’re going to have a special lunch with them later that day. Perhaps a fun day at school is going to happen.

Giving your child something to look forward to helps them look ahead. Some children just need that excitement or that push to help them get out the door in the morning. You’d be surprised how much smoother a day can go when a child is focused on something that interests them.

Breathing Exercises

Do you have a kiddo that gets overwhelmed easily? Taking a deep breath is a great stress management tool. When your child starts getting overwhelmed or they just need a little help getting through the morning, bring out the breathing exercises.

A simple “in through the nose, out through the mouth” works if they are not yet agitated, but you may need to take a bit more time and walk them through some calm down breathing exercises.

Food

Brains don’t work well without fuel. Kids need food to function. Having them eat first instead of after they get dressed can make them do the other things on their list faster. It will also improve their mood and behaviour.

With everything happening on busy weekday mornings, it can be hard to come up with healthy breakfasts that are quick to put together or that can even be grabbed on the go in a pinch.

I like to use make ahead breakfasts so that they are in the freezer and ready to go.

Lay Out Clothes the Day Before

Sometimes kids struggle to make decisions in the morning, which can really put them behind schedule. A little trick that I learned in the start of my parenting years is to lay out clothes the day before.

This is so helpful because then the kids know exactly what they are going to wear the next day. Some of my kids even like sleeping in their school clothes the night before. This means they only have to get up, throw on some shoes, and be on their way!

Simplicity is best in some cases. As a parent, you need to know which battles are worth fighting and pyjamas are not a mountain to die on in my opinion.

If also helps to be sure that everything else is ready the night before such as backpacks, important papers, and school lunches. This small tweak in the morning routine for school will pay big dividends.

Thick Smoothies Through a Straw

This little trick of mine kills two birds with one stone. If you want to solve your kids being hungry and them being dysregulated or moody…Smoothies!

For kids who need a calming resistive sucking motion, thick smoothies through a straw is my go-to. This solves the hunger issue, the time issue, and helps keep your kiddo calm and focused. I make freezer smoothie bags ahead of time so they are fast to whip up.

Sensory Input

When mornings are stressful and you have a child that is struggling with sensory overload, focusing on sensory input can be important. Sensory input can come in a variety of forms. Throughout my years of parenting, I have found some sensory input that works great on the go.

Some of my favourites for my kids are listening to an audiobook on the way out the door. As mentioned before, straws give great oral sensory input. Send your child on a visual letter hunt in a book. This works great for kids who need visual sensory input.

Heavy work activities are a great way to start the day off regulated and calm.

Waking Up Earlier

Some kids just need extra time to get ready. One way to get kids to wake up earlier is to get them to bed earlier. You may find that your kids are easier to get out the door in the morning when they wake up earlier. This isn’t always easy, but it does work for some children.

Leave Plenty of Time

This goes along with the “waking up earlier” tip. Don’t forget to leave plenty of time for getting out the door in the morning. Try not to rush the kids with a short time period of getting ready.

Whether your kids take the bus to school or you drive them, there can be changes in timing. Note if there are reasons such as traffic, construction, or change in schedule that require you to leave the house sooner and adjust the morning routine accordingly.

I would love to hear your tips for getting your child out the door in the morning. What tips do you have to offer?

You may also find these articles helpful:

The After School Meltdown Strategy that really works

Calm Down Breathing for Kids