Multi-sensory experiences are the next step as we move beyond the concepts of natural materials and add more elements to each sensory experience. These experiences allow children to delve even more deeply into the elements of sensory materials as the products become more colorful and the manipulations more complex. This is the next step after children have fully mastered the elements of the natural Sensory Experiences. It extends to allow children to fully explore the details of the materials and create new ways to work with them, opening up even more opportunities for children to experience, explore, and enjoy the process of learning.
These materials are also readily encompassed into the Montessori environment as children utilize them in methods that allow them to practice fine motor skills while fully incorporating the sensorial nature of the materials. The products include opportunities for sorting, patterning, feeling the weight of items, and much more. The materials also work well in a Reggio Emilia program as they easily lend themselves to the artistic based program which is characterized by children creating using their own ideas.
These multisensory materials are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to put together. Experiences in this chapter are about adding color and exploring color changes. These activities also incorporate the exploratory sense of smell and texture as we add scent and colors to projects based on what the children choose, as well as coordinating concepts to themes and holidays.
Many of the colors are created through food coloring, unsweetened powdered drink mixes, and even gelatin packets that both color and add scent to the projects. Have fun, explore and watch the children as they learn through trying different things to find their own answers to the “what if” questions they create.
Some of the materials in this chapter can be placed on a shelf and used repeatedly; however, many of the activities in this chapter will only work one time. Experiences that utilize water and have color mixing that becomes murky are only good for a single use. Many of these activities are best done outside or on a tile floor particularly if they are filled with water, food dyes, or messy materials such as shaving cream.
The water, the textures, and even the mess create fun experiences that children will love. Don’t skip an activity because of the mess, simply pick a special day and an appropriate place to embrace the joy of messy learning. The children will love it and it will definitely be worth the cleanup effort!