Sensory Lesson Plans

Infant Lesson Plans

STEM Lesson Plans

Cause and Effect Sensory Bag

Activity:  

​Cause and Effect Sensory Bag

Lesson plan developed by Aurora Tollestrup, BS Ed

Age Group:

• Young Infant
• ​Mobile Infant​

Objectives:  

Children will:

• explore cause and effect with provided materials.

CDA Competency Standard:   

II.5.1a

• Activities encourage curiosity, exploration and discovery
  • ​a) Activities involve developmentally appropriate, hands-on experiences

Cause and Effect Sensory Bag

Materials: 

• two gallon sized zip top bags
• duct tape
• hair gel
• black marker
• marble
• food coloring

Procedure: 

To prepare materials:

• Use the black marker to draw a curved line onto the inside of the Ziplock bag.
• Add hair gel and marble to the Ziplock bag, close securely.
  
• You may add clear packing tape around the edges of the bag if you desire.

For the activity:

• Invite the children to explore the sensory bag by moving the marble along the black line.
  
• Young infants may enjoy the texture of the gel in the bag, while mobile infants may be fascinated with the movement of the marble.

Assessment: 

• Did the children explore the relationship of cause and effect? Did they seem to understand that when they pushed the marble it moved? Record any observations that you make.

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Benefits of STEM

STEM can benefit students of all ages. One of the most beneficial aspects of STEM instruction is the emphasis on real-world applications. This emphasis benefits children in giving them awareness of the world around them and its processes. STEM instruction helps children to understand the processes in the world and how they may become a part of them.

With STEM curriculum comes much more than just incorporating more science, technology, engineering, and math lessons. STEM is also a process in which identifying, problem solving, critical thinking, and hypothesizing all come in to play. STEM curriculum teaches children to use the separate elements of STEM along with prior knowledge to create a cohesive unit in which to build even further knowledge.

Social skills and community relationships are another benefit of STEM curriculum. Many STEM lessons or activities will involve groups, pairs, or community members, giving children a platform for learning cooperatively through social interactions. Many early childhood classrooms focus on social skills and relationships in their existing curriculum and routines, and STEM will help reinforce those skills.

How to include science in your early childhood program:

• Include a science center area in your classroom. Include a basket of magnifying glasses, small paint brushes, small sheets of paper and pencils on a table with leaves, rocks, pinecones, a bird’s nest and more items for children to explore.
• Encourage scientific exploration on the playground, in the classroom, and on field trips.
• Give children a range of interests to explore to expand their knowledge.
• Allow for student-led learning.