7 Reasons Slime is Good for Sensory Play
Providing a Helping Hand for Special Needs Children and Families.
Curious about the benefits of using slime for sensory play? We explain the 7 benefits it has for your child with special medical needs.
What is Slime?
It is a mix between a solid and a liquid. It typically has a gooey and sticky texture unless other items are added.
How to Make Slime
Ingredients:
- 8-ounce bottle of Elmer’s white school glue.
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda.
- 1 ½ – 2 Tablespoons contact saline solution or slime activator, more as needed.
- Food coloring
Step 1: Add glue and food coloring to a bowl. Then mix in baking soda.
Step 2: Mix in saline solution. Add 1 1/2 Tablespoons saline solution and mix until combined. If it’s too sticky, add 1/2 Tablespoon more solution at a time. The more you add, the thicker it’ll be. The less you add, the slimier it’ll be.
Step 3: Knead the mixture.
Learn more here.
Why is Slime Good for Sensory Play?
1. Tactile Experience
Since slime has many textures, it gives a positive tactile experience due to the kneading/hand movements.
2. Visual Stimulation
Slime is visually appealing. It comes in many forms, textures, and colors/glitters. It is also flexible and can form drips or bubbles.
3. Auditory Engagement
From the bubbles slime makes and the ingredients you can add to it, slime can make multiple sounds. From pops to sizzles to crackles, slime can do it all.
4. Sensory Integration
Slime engages multiple senses depending on what it’s made of. When playing with slime, the child takes in the color, texture, smell, glitter, sound, and function. Not all slime functions the same. It depends on if it’s made with beads, shaving cream, lotion, clay, etc. These ingredients can make the slime stretchy, super soft, or fluffy.
5. Therapeutic Benefits
Playing with slime involves our sensory experiences and kneading movements, all of which help with our nervous system. For instance, this can help with releasing tension and maintaining focus.
6. Learning Opportunity
Kids can learn by making the slime, discovering what it can do, and finding out what happens when colors or textures are combined.
7. Fun and Engaging
Overall, slime is super fun and a perfect tool for sensory play. Since it is a hands-on object and has a unique texture, kids can play with it for hours!
Why should my child go to Tender Care PPEC?
Tender Care PPEC provides care for medically complex and fragile children from birth to 21 years of age in a daycare-like environment staffed with nurses, CNAs, and therapists. We are the first independently owned PPEC in the State of Florida with our initial center opening in 1988. This means we have an abundance of experience and knowledge in providing loving care to this special pediatric population. We have 6 Tender Care PPEC centers throughout Florida, with our newest facility located in Lake Park.
Our goal is to enhance the development of each child through collaborative relationships between families, physicians, nurses, and therapists. This holistic approach to care is carried out in an environment that allows the child to engage in social interactions with their peers. This results in thriving children, well-positioned to achieve their greatest potential. We also offer transportation at no cost and provide nutritious meals throughout the day.
What sets us apart is that we care for and treat every child like family. We have passion in our hearts for our children and a desire to see them succeed.
You can follow us on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
*This is not medical advice, always consult with your child’s doctor before making any changes to their lifestyle.