Sensory explorations are an important role in our daily play experiences. The whole month of December, the Robins were exploring and experimenting with different textures, loose parts, and art materials. Each and every sensory activity offered something new and unique for the children senses.
To encourage the children to use multiple of their senses, we used a wide variety of materials such colored sand, table salt, baby oil, flour, various beans, pretend snow, popcorn kernels, and natural and manmade loose parts.

​Moon sand was one of the Robins favorite sensory activities. The Robins spent long time exploring moon sand with their sense of touch, smell and sight. To make moon sand, we mixed baby oil and baking flour, this created a unique texture and gentle scent. To stimulate their sense of sight, we added some foil sequins and colorful glass beads. What could spark more curiosity than to dig your fingers into a smooth and fragrant mixture and feel the smoothness of the round glass beads?
While touching and feeling the mixture with their hands, the Robins shared their excitement with each other. The children often were heard saying “wow” and “cool” while exploring the moon sand table. The children had big smiles on their faces each time one of them would find a “moon rock” for which they named the various glass beads.  

​ The moon sand activity was a learning opportunity for the Robins. The Robins learned that if you mix baby oil and the flour, you can create a wonderful and exciting material which will provide you with an endless fun, ideas for an imaginary play and to identify which senses they were using.
Of course, the children explore with their senses on their own throughout the day, and there are many different kinds of sensory activities. However, we wanted to share this particular sensory activity because it is an activity that you can replicate with items commonly found in your home and the children’s creativity made this an opportunity to travel to the moon!

Photos/Photo albums and Family Tree
​Each Owl has a picture of themselves on display and they frequently look at it and talk about what they are doing in the picture. Seeing pictures of themselves and everyone else in the room creates that home like feeling. That is the type of community we want to build. 
Again, having family pictures of everyone in the room, including the educators is inclusive of everybody and shows the diversity of everyone’s family and backgrounds. It makes us all feel important and valued in this community.
​This is our photo album entitled, “Making Memories with the Owls." We often look through it to reflect on how much we’ve changed and grown or the variety activities we’ve done since September.

​Each Owl has their own rock which they have decorated with markers. Once they arrive in the morning, they put their rock in the basket, to signify that they are signed in to their classroom. The rocks provides transparency for the children and their belonging in the classroom. 

​Portfolios
In the Owl room, the children have easy access to their portfolios. Portfolios are a reflective tool that provide the children with the opportunity to enhance their learning. Having access to all materials in the room teaches the children that they are valued and trusted members of their community. The Owls frequently go through their portfolios to see what has been added. They also take turns looking in each other’s portfolios. This has been a great way to further build our community.