Mixtures and Solutions
What does balance have to do with the senses? A whole lot! And here are a few recipes to get those senses revved up in a playful, exciting way. We've put together a few recipes that your kids will go ga-ga for. They are safe, easy, and fun. They'll not only entertain your child's sense of touch and sight, but they'll open up their minds with a splash of curiosity. And why again are these related to balance?
"Integration of sensory input
Balance information provided by the peripheral sensory organs—eyes, muscles and joints, and the two sides of the vestibular system—is sent to the brain stem. There, it is sorted out and integrated with learned information contributed by the cerebellum (the coordination center of the brain) and the cerebral cortex (the thinking and memory center). The cerebellum provides information about automatic movements that have been learned through repeated exposure to certain motions. For example, by repeatedly practicing serving a ball, a tennis player learns to optimize balance control during that movement. Contributions from the cerebral cortex include previously learned information; for example, because icy sidewalks are slippery, one is required to use a different pattern of movement in order to safely navigate them. " (https://vestibular.org/understanding-vestibular-disorder/human-balance-system)
Ok, now that you have that down, here are the recipes to help exercise those senses of yours. Enjoy!
SOFT AS A CLOUD playdough
1 part conditioner: 2 parts cornstarch. Mix together and add a teensy bit of water if necessary. That's it!
Not only is this recipe so easy, but it smells good.
Homemade Playdough
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 Tablespoons cream of tartar
1 T oil
1 cup water
Mix all ingredients together and cook over low heat until desired consistency. Add food coloring or herbs, such as lavendar to the dough for an added sensory experience.
P.S. When I lived in Taiwan, I couldn't find cream of tartar. I made the recipe above and added a bit of vinegar instead. The dough turned out fine.
BATH PAINTS
cornstarch mixed with a bit of water and watercolor paints until desired consistency makes a great bath paint to paint on the walls while taking a bath. We made this last night and it was a hit! The paint was easy to clean. Just make sure to remind your child that they are creating a masterpiece, not a mess-terpiece.
If you have any other recipes you would like to share, please do so!