• Shop
    • Speech Therapy
    • Clipart
    • Reviews
    • My Account
  • Free
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • Early Intervention & Preschool
    • Language
    • Social Language
    • Articulation & Phonology
    • Sensory Differences
    • Cleft Lip and Palate
  • Contact
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • 0 items

Allison Fors, Inc.

Speech Therapy Tools for SLPs and Educators

Why You Should Be Using Sensory Bins in Speech Therapy (and a Freebie)

sensory bins speech therapy

Collaborating with occupational therapists and exploring sensory strategies has helped me have more productive sessions with the children who can’t seem to sit still or who have sensory processing disorder (SPD). One of the things I picked up along the way was using sensory bins! Not only are they fun, engaging, and interactive, but they serve great purposes for our students with SPD or those who need increased sensory input.

Sensory activities help the brain focus, self-regulate, reduce distractions, and build neural connections to learn and retain information. Sensory stimulation is critical for brains to develop and strengthen sensory-related synapses and functions. When using more than one sense, a child will learn and retain more information!

What are sensory bins?

Sensory bins are a tactile experience in a container usually filled with beans, rice, noodles, beads, corn, water beads, or sand. They are extremely easy and can be inexpensive to make. I like to use Sterilite plastic bins with lids, but you can use any container and any size. Then add any filler and any objects – toys, spoons, strainers, plastic eggs, rakes. You can make them themed for the time of year or for a particular unit. There are tons of sensory bin ideas online if you need inspiration. Here’s a Pinterest board I have specially dedicated to this topic to get your creative juices flowing! I also compiled a list of many more filler ideas that aren’t as messy and are easier to clean-up (compared to beans and rice).

You can check out some of my favorite sensory bin supplies at my amazon storefront! Sensory Needs

sensory bin fillers

Why I love sensory bins!

Sensory bins are different from anything else I use in therapy so they are a welcome change and a great way to mix things up. Kids LOVE them! Sensory bins are engaging and hands-on fun. And they easily make a boring activity fun with minimal preparation. And we are all about that, right!? I always have a sensory bin ready to go and am able to quickly throw in drill cards or other artic/language targets.

Use sensory bins for:

  • targeting joint attention
  • imitating actions (scooping, shaking, etc)
  • pretend play
  • cause and effect
  • turn-taking
  • requesting
  • practicing simple verbs (in, out, open, close)
  • hiding articulation cards, task cards, or anything that is motivating and fits their therapy goals
  • vocabulary
  • wh questions
  • following directions
  • categories
  • sequencing
  • and more…view the graphic below!

If I know motivation will be a factor, I put in fun things to find between pulling out those artic cards and doing trials. Try hiding cars, tokens, pennies, mini figurines…whatever is going to be exciting for your student. It’s a fast, fun motivator for the students to see how many they can collect!

sensory bins

Download the graphics in this post for free!

Here is some inspiration of sensory bins I’ve created and used in therapy!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allison Fors | Speech Therapy (@speech.allisonfors)


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allison Fors | Speech Therapy (@speech.allisonfors)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allison Fors | Speech Therapy (@speech.allisonfors)


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Allison Fors | Speech Therapy (@speech.allisonfors)


Sensory bins have become such an integral part of my sessions that I began making materials specifically for them!

SHOP ALL SENSORY BINS

And definitely, don’t miss this FREE one!

Do you use sensory bins in speech therapy or your classroom? Let me know in the comments!

You may be interested in:
Why You Should be Using Sensory Play in Speech Therapy
How to Use Sensory Bottles in Speech Therapy
How to Help a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder Succeed in Speech Therapy

If you enjoyed this post, please share it!
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  All opinions are my own.

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Email
speech therapy sensory bins

Related Posts

  • sensory processing disorderHow to Help a Child with Sensory Processing Disorder Succeed in Speech Therapy
  • Why You Should be Using Wind Up Toys in Speech TherapyWhy You Should be Using Wind Up Toys in Speech Therapy
  • barrier games in speech therapyWhy You Should Be Using BARRIER GAMES (and a Freebie)
speech therapy sensory bins

January 27, 2021 allisonfors 2 Comments Filed Under: Sensory Bins, Speech Resources, Therapy Ideas

Unique Ways to Use Puppets in Intervention
30 Children’s Books about Developmental Disabilities

Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    September 3, 2021 at 10:01 am

    How do you go with the mess? I have tried this and I spend the whole time saying keep it in the bin, or else they just go silly and it ends up everywhere- which then makes my easy prep hard clean up sessions.

    Reply
    • allisonfors says

      September 7, 2021 at 1:26 am

      A few things! Incorporate the clean up into the session, use fillers that are easy to clean up, and I won’t use sensory bins/play with some of my students.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hi, I'm Allison! A speech & language resource author who loves the creative process of making therapy materials and clipart, as well as connecting with educators world wide. Learn more about me here! Read More…

✨everything✨ 15 print-and-go resources for $2 ✨everything✨

15 print-and-go resources for $21 — that’s $46 savings through Feb 1!

This is for you if you...
✔️want to streamline your therapy planning.
✔️work with a diverse caseload.
✔️want to feel more prepared for sessions.
✔️want to save time with no prep materials.

🔗 allisonfors.com/print-and-go-bundle/

Comment below if you want me to message you the link!

#slpeeps #prekslp #slpgradstudent #slpsofinstagram #instaslp #slp2b #speechie #ashaigers
My go-to, can’t-live-without, best bang-for-your My go-to, can’t-live-without, best bang-for-your-buck toys with younger kids! 

What’s your go-to?👇🏻

All images available in my “Play Room” clipart set.

#educationaltoys #speechtherapy #preschoolteacher #playtolearn #playbasedlearning
WOAH. 15 all-new resources valued at $67 for just WOAH. 15 all-new resources valued at $67 for just $21 until February 1st!

✔️ No prep speech activities for your PreK-5th caseload.
✔️ Perfect for easy therapy planning and homework.
✔️ Available at a heavily discounted price.
 
Your time is valuable and limited, so all these resources are no prep, just print-and-go. No cutting, laminating, or assembling is necessary!

I am excited for you to be able to use these for streamlining therapy planning and sending them home for homework.

Most caseloads are diverse, so there are a wide variety of skills included.

I wanted to bring you fresh materials at a great price that you could download and use today >> allisonfors.com/print-and-go-bundle/

Comment below if you want me to message you the link!

#speechtherapy #elementaryslp #preschoolslp #speechtherapyideas #slpa #speechtherapist #speechpathology
Google is my best friend - but let’s save time a Google is my best friend - but let’s save time and streamline that process!

Have a quick reference system at your fingertips without googling.
➡️ bit.ly/SLPHandouts

The perfect parent handouts for speech and language development.
➡️ bit.ly/SLPAgeMilestones

Still haven’t downloaded the Free Speech Therapy Handouts?
➡️ bit.ly/FreeSLPHandouts

Both the free and paid versions are great for referencing a variety of speech and language milestones and skills, plus using as handouts for caregivers.

#speechdevelopment #speechtherapy #slpeeps #slpa #languagedevelopment #speechdelay
8 LANGUAGE SAMPLE TIPS💡 Save this post and ta 8 LANGUAGE SAMPLE TIPS💡 

Save this post and tag a friend! Do you have other tricks for collecting language samples? 

Language samples often consists of at least 50-100 utterances. They are a great tool to assess and gather data on: utterance length, vocabulary, syntax, semantics, morphology, pragmatics, narrative skills, and comprehension.

Read more: allisonfors.com/language-samples/

Download the checklist: bit.ly/freelanguagesample
What is a delay versus a disorder? This is a commo What is a delay versus a disorder? This is a common question!

Save this post and try a friend!

#speechdelay #languagedelay #speechdisorder #speechdelay

Copyright © 2023 · Allison Fors, Inc. · Hello You Designs

My Account
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy