Posted: October 29, 2014
Our experience in the world involves constant multisensory stimulation. Involving as many senses as possible into learning activities helps the brain develop in an optimal environment.
With the occasional exception of taste, stimulation of all the senses can be worked into almost any activity for a child with Cerebral Palsy. In developing activities for sensory integration, the goal is to create conversation that focuses the attention on the senses. Some examples are:
- “How do the materials FEEL?”
- “What colors do you SEE?”
- “Can you tell how one ingredient SMELLS different from the other?”
- “What do you think it TASTES like?”
- “What SOUNDS would this character make?”
The questions are endless as are the possible answers. As the motor skills are being developed by performing the activity, multiple parts of the brain are being stimulated by bringing attention to each sense. Using multisensory learning techniques can help improve a child’s depth of understand and information recall.
Below are three fun Halloween themed multisensory activities for you to enjoy with your family, courtesy of Lisa over at A Day In Our Shoes.
Halloween Handprint Ghosts
This easy Halloween Handprint Ghosts activity encourages a child to use their vision, touch, smell, fine motor. Click the image above to learn more.
Candy Corn Marshmallow Pops
The Candy Corn Marshmallow Pops involves a child’s senses by encouraging them to taste, putting marshmallows on a stick (fine motor), visual (colors, themes), and more. Click the image above to learn more about this activity.
Halloween Peeps Topiary
Halloween Peeps Topiary is cute and delicious Halloween activity that involves a child’s sense of touch, smell, fine motor, and taste. For instructions and materials, click the image above or visit Crafts ‘n Coffee.
Further Reading
For more great ideas to involve the five senses into fun developmental activities click here.
Learn more about sensory integration at CerebralPalsy.org.
If you have questions on how to adapt these activities and more for your child’s specific needs, the MyChild™ Call Center is ready to help. Call at
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