Use Universal Design Elements to Decorate a Child's Room Perfect for Sensory Play Based Learning

Decorate Kids Room for Sensory Play Based Learning

Universal Design elements give children multiple means of inclusion in group settings and aid in learning techniques. Implement design elements into your child's room to incorporate play based learning. We're sharing tips to help you build and design a kid's room that is beautiful, fun, and educational. Enjoy!

Each child has a different learning style. Some children learn visually (visual), some learn by hands-on (kinesthetic), and some learn easily by lecture-style (aural). 

A child's room based on universal design incorporating sensory play concepts can aid in the learning process and can give your child a bright future.


well designed furniture for children's room aids in sensory play based learning
The smooth lines of this "rocking horse" chair help prevent injuries.


The concept of universal design, the brainchild of architect, Ronald Mace, began as a concept to design all products, spaces, and buildings to be both aesthetically pleasing and well functioning for everyone no matter their ability. 

Some principles of universal design include: 

  • Flexibility in use (The design complements a wide range of preferences and abilities.)
  • Simple and intuitive use (The design is easy to understand.)
  • Tolerance of error (The design minimizes hazards and unintended actions.)
  • Size and space for approach and use (Appropriate space for reach and manipulation whether right or left handed is incorporated in the layout and design.)
  • Low physical effort (Design can be used comfortably no matter your mobility/motor skills.)
  • Equitable use (The design is useful and marketable to people with varying abilities.)
  • Perceptible information (The design communicates information regardless of the user's sensory abilities.)

Stairway Bunk Bed
Stairway Bunk Bed.




This bunk bed may not allow for children of all abilities to sleep on top, but it is designed with a sleeping space for people of all abilities. The added element of a secret cubby for hide and seek, a reading nook, or just a private getaway space makes it perfect for sensory play. Children can climb to the top bunk and enjoy a spontaneous game of pretend Castle play.

Pretend Playhouse Castle Tent
Pretend playhouse castle tent.


Incorporate child size spatial elements to give your child a sense of security. A special place all their own is comforting and encourages imaginative play. Children learn by mimicking adults. Give them the necessary tools to explore. In a tent like this, the child becomes "big" which helps give their confidence a boost in contrast to the daily reminders of their diminutive size in oversized spaces and furniture designed for adults.

Castle Rug for Kids Room

Castle Rug for Kids Room.






A plush, comfortable rug like this one makes a good place for creative play. The rug is tactile, thick, and soft. The visual sense is explored in the elemental colors and shapes that connect to form a castle. 

When decorating your child's room, think of the five senses and add items that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sensitive to their sensory abilities.



Recommended Reading:



The Knight and the Dragon (Paperstar Book)*


Pirate Pretend Play



Easy Preschool Science: Make a Mini Terrarium in a Jar

How to Make a Terrarium in a Jar: Easy Ecosystem Science Lesson for Kids

We went to a nature park and saw this cool mini terrarium in a jar. It's the perfect spring gardening activity for  a preschool science lesson. Enjoy!


how to make an easy terrarium in a jar for preschool science
Preschool Science: How to make a terrarium in a jar.


Featured U.K. Preschool and Craft Blogger: Jo from Le Baby Bakery Dino Activity

Preschool Dinosaur Activity Printable 

Our featured blog is Le Baby Bakery. Jo is a U.K. preschool and craft blogger who blogs about life and crafts with two boisterous boys. She also makes baby and toddler clothes and accessories which she sells through her Facebook page. Enjoy!

The clothes are adorable! If you're in the U.K., hop over and take a look. Handmade kid's clothes make great birthday gifts! 


I met Jo through Pin it! Preschool Scavenger Hunt on Pinterest. She recently won with the most repins. Jo does lots of preschool activities with her boys. 

I love this preschool dinosaur activity. She printed a Letter "D" dino worksheet, and then attached magnets to colorful pom-poms, placed the sheet on a metal tray, and let the fun begin. 



Letter "D" dinosaur theme lesson with 
magnetic pom-poms and tray from Le Baby Bakery.

Check out more fun ideas for preschoolers at Le Baby Bakery




Recommended:

Dinosaur Activity Kit*









ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Trace Cute Animals to Learn to Draw or use as Free Printable Coloring Sheet

Hey Kids, want to learn how to draw cute animals? 

Print these free printable sheets to color or trace. Copying is the quickest way to learn to draw. Here's a simple bear, raccoon, and cheeky monkey traceable.


Trace Cute Animals to Learn to Draw or use as Free Printable Coloring Sheet
Traceable Animals to learn to draw or color.
Click here for FREE PRINTABLE TRACEABLES.

We've got tons of coloring pages and free clipart printables.  Hop over to our Mediafire host site more.


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Trace a monkey learn to draw printable sheet
Learn how to draw a monkey by tracing.
Click here for FREE PRINTABLE MONKEY.

Why I Choose to Homeschool: Homeschooling with Online Classes through Connections Academy (INCA)

Why Homeschool? Should You Homeschool? 

Have you been considering homeschooling? Should you homeschool? Is homeschooling bad or good? Why homeschool? Have you considered free online public school? It's completely free and totally easy! We struggled with the decision whether or not to homeschool. Then, I saw a commercial on television for Connections Academy, so we did that for awhile and then we used what we learned to do homeschool on our own. Enjoy!


Why homeschool How to free homeschooling online
With Online Homeschool, there is plenty of time for field trips and extracurricular learning.
We visited an orchard and picked beautiful blue plums off the tree.

Why did I choose to homeschool?  

Why homeschool? There are so many things about public brick and mortar school I detest and dread. I hated the mean-spirited shaming I witnessed from one avid church-goer when my son mentioned he didn't really go/like to go church. It's true, he went sometimes, but I left him home with Daddy a lot (Daddy retired from church). This strikes me as ironic, because stereotypically many people believe "church people" or "religious extremists" homeschool. 

I go to church when the whim strikes me. I'm a bleeding heart, stuck somewhere between hippies and devout Christians. I guess, the remark hurt my feelings too.


I hated the complaints from my daughter of how much she hated recess. "There is nothing to do, no one to play with, and the teachers won't let me sit on the blacktop" Ah... memories. In early elementary, I walked around the edge of the blacktop waiting for the teacher to blow the whistle.


I hated picking my son up nearly every other day after lunch, because he had something with milk or dairy in it. I even had a note from the doctor, apparently, state law requires milk must be placed on EVERY child's tray! I sent in alternative beverages, but "Mommy, I just took a little sip of chocolate milk!" 


He'd have an asthmatic reaction, go to the nurse for his inhaler, and then... And then... poor nurse. Let's just say, it came out both ends.


Number one, the school bus! I hated leaving the safety of my kids to another person- someone I didn't know, no seatbelts on the bus, bullies on the bus, other dangerous drivers, etc. Just pulling into our neighborhood was a deathtrap. Waiting for the bus with the middle schoolers outside was too traumatic for Mommy. Well, it didn't seem right to me; my kids were just newly 5 when they started school.


They begged to ride the bus. I let my son ride a few times. The neighbor child had some problems. He was sort of a bully, but he was also bullied by the older kids. The nice, old man bus driver had him sit up front with my little one. My son came home with lots of amazing new life lessons. 


Then, the kid started causing trouble. The bus driver would pull over and wait it out. So, the bus was often late. No, thank you, we started driving the kids to school permanently once my daughter hit all-day kindergarten. She's a handful. I can't imagine she'd stay in her seat without a seatbelt. I didn't think the sweet, old man needed the added stress. 


I'd pick the kids up from school, have an after-school snack, try to squeeze in a little outdoor playtime, then it was time to make supper, get baths, do homework, and go to bed. 


Impossible.

I hated the homework! We'd be up late finishing projects for first and second grade! 

My son is gifted. We looked forward to a special program at the school, but it didn't start until third grade. In the meantime, he was placed in a class with high ability learners. Even so, the teacher felt there were problems. He understood concepts in ways other second graders couldn't- which led to arguments and frustrations. Since, we were planning to move, the teacher wondered if online school might work for him. This way, he could work at his own pace. I wasn't sold on the idea until...


The second lockdown at school. That's right, second. I shrugged off the first one. The second one was for the same reason, a bank robber near the school grounds and shots fired. I tried to get in the car line to pick up the kids, but the road was blocked by police cars. I called  a friend, Angie, she arrived a few minutes prior to me. She was told to get out of her car and head to them gym for safety. 


Yep, I was a mess.  


BUT... I can't homeschool. I don't have the patience. I'm not disciplined enough. My kids need socialization. I don't want other people to think we're freaks. 


WHATEVER.


It's just not like that anymore. I CAN (of course I can). We actually had LESS busy bookwork than regular school. The kids had online live lessons with their teachers and classmates. The teachers checked in regularly with emails and phone calls. As a learning coach, I was a big part of my kids academic experience, but not the teacher. So, I didn't have to worry about making major mistakes.



Free School Online Public Elementary Homeschooling
Indiana Connections Academy, Free School Online!

We homeschooled through INCA or Indiana Connections Academy. The supplies are completely free! This includes all textbooks, science supplies, art supplies, and companion DVD's and CDRom's for the online classes.

They took required state standardized tests in an university classroom. There are school sponsored field trips and local group gatherings. We met up with a local group of homeschoolers outside of INCA for recreation or SOCIALIZATION.


Yep, next to giving birth... homeschooling is the best idea I've ever had. I have more time to spend with my kids, hone my novel writing skills, and work as a freelancer.  


In case you're wondering, my kids were offered the opportunity to attend regular school year. They both declined with a resounding, "No way!"


Now, that we are experienced homeschoolers, we go it alone! I create online lessons and share them here on the blog. The kids do math with Kahn Academy, and we supplement with Brainpop. We love homeschooling. 

We get up when we want, go to bed when we want, study what we want, and have the freedom to supplement with field trips whenever we want. We are members of several clubs for homeschoolers and meet up with our friends at least once per week.


Recommended Reading:


Homeschooling 101: A Guide to Getting Started.*

The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas*

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ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Free Facebook Header Spring Images and a Dandelion Make a Wish Poster for your Wall ~ Happy Spring!

These Facebook Header images for Spring are Inspirational and FREE

We love inspirational posters, don't you?  Remember when you were a little kid and somebody you admired taught you about Dandelion parachutes? Maybe you called them pinwheels? Either way, wasn't it the coolest thing ever? Blow the seeds while you watch them fly away, make a wish, and wait for it to come true. Here's some FREE bling for your Facebook Header and cool wall posts to boot.

Make a wish on a Dandelion Parachute Kids inspirational sayings
Dandelions - weed or a flower? It depends on  your point of view!
Be happy, be positive, and make wishes come true.

You can print these pictures or post them to your Facebook wall.  Speaking of Facebook, I made some seasonal Spring headers for your timeline wall.  These are already sized to fit, just save them to your computer and you're all set.

Make a wish on a dandelion seed poster picture photo
Make a wish...
Dandelion Header for Facebook Page Timeline Wall
Dandelion Header for Facebook Page Timeline Wall.  This works with Google+  too.

Spring Header Wildflower picture image photo for Facebook or Google+
Free Spring wildflower header Google+ or Facebook.




First signs of Spring Leaves on Trees for Facebook or Google+ header photo foto
First sign of Spring tree leaves and sky Image for header.

View of Creek in Spring for header Facebook Google+
Creek photo image picture in Spring for header sized to fit Facebook.  
Right click and save to computer.

Recommended Reading:

Social Media Engagement For Dummies

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead


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Loaf of Bread Coloring Page or The Letter B

Printable coloring sheet for the letter B

Yummy and B-eautiful = Bread. Here's a fun Letter "B" Coloring page or use the other cartoon picture as clipart"B" is for bread is a fun way to help preschoolers learn the alphabet. We've got other letters too! Click on the coloring pages for kids tabs above for more fun educational coloring sheets. Enjoy!


Alphabet Coloring pages for preschool kids letter B bread
Loaf of Bread Coloring Sheet for the letter "B".




Bread Science Experiment

This site is full of Bread Coloring Sheets and Free Printable Clipart
Baking Bread Clipart or Coloring Page.



Recommended Reading:



Rocket's Mighty Words*







ADS DISCLOSURE: We've partnered with some wonderful advertisers who may sponsor blog posts or send us samples to test. Some companies pay us to review their products.

*We also use affiliate links, if you make a purchase we get a tiny commission. Kids Creative Chaos participates in the Amazon LLC Associates Program*, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for blogs to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon properties, including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com. We also offer Tapinfluence, Google Adsense, SoFab, and Izea ads here. Thanks so much for helping us keep the lights on! :)


Homeschool Science Project: Bread Making Investigation - How Does Matter Change?

Science Curriculum Ideas for Elementary Homeschooling: Investigate the MATTER of bread? 

In this homeschool science project you are required to experiment with bread making ingredients to study how matter can change. Enjoy!

After the experiment, make a loaf of bread and watch how yeast makes chemical changes. Find an Easy Artisan Bread Recipe on the internet like the one in this linky. We've included a link to our free printable worksheet: investigating the matter of bread. Instructions for the project are included in the worksheet.



This post contains affiliate links.


Kid Science Lesson on Matter Bread Making Investigation
Kid Science Lesson on Matter Bread Making Investigation.




The Science of Bread and Changes in Matter Homeschool Project


Homeschool experiment with bread ingredients. 

Print out worksheets from the link below.








Science: Homeschool Project and Free Printable Worksheet for Matter and Bread Lesson


What happens when you experiment with bread ingredients? 

Get your safety glasses ready and find out. See the Dew? 

Don't do the Dew! Kid never drank it, just the Mommy. 
She quit, lost weight, and has never felt better! 






Recommended Reading:

For Kids Big Book of Science Experiments


Electric Bread for Kids : A Bread Machine Activity Book



April Showers? Color an Umbrella Craft for Kids

April showers! Spring Umbrella Craft for Kids

Finally, after all the April snows, Mayhem was able to color her
ALEX® Toys - Craft Color A Yumbrella.
 It took Spring forever to... er sprung- and patient she ain't. Anywho...

Color an  Umbrella craft from Alex Toys Super Cute!
Coloring an umbrella with permanent markers.
This cute umbrella craft comes with permanent markers. We used some of our own Sharpies too. She colored one triangle, got tired, and took a break for a week. Now, she can color whenever she gets bored. The craft that keeps on giving! 

You know, she'll be modeling this with her latest rubber galoshes. What am I saying? It's Mayhem, she'll probably wear ballet flats when she goes skipping in the rain.



Kids Creative Chaos Blog Crafts for Kids: Alex Toys
Mayhem colors a lollipop on her Yumbrella.


Cute Umbrella Craft for Spring Birthday Party for Kids
The Umbrella is decorated with cute, yummy sweets.



Recommended Reading:


Let It Rain*

Monster Paper Bag Puppets

Activities for Circle Time






Purple Tutu, Pink Leggings, and Combat Boots: She's back! What's She's Wearing Wednesday to Build a Chicken Coop

What she wore to work on our Chicken Coop

Chickens! Who doesn't love a good purple, Target tutu with a pair of combat boots? Pink leggings and a fancy shirt (worn backward) tie it together. This pairing was planned to help the Daddy build the chicken coop/duck pen. "Cause, it's cold and I need pants and boots."


What she's wearing Kids purple tutu fashion Mayhem
These don't look very heavy.  I can help build a chicken coop and duck pen.  I've got my boots! (Okay, Jake's boots.)
Later, she added a pair of grippy work gloves. No diva can be without fancy work clothes, right? There's nothing quite like Mayhem fashion. We need to start our own kid's clothing line, don't you think? Maybe, she'll make the pages of J. Crew someday?


Carrying blocks for the coop's foundation.
Oh! That's heavier than I thought.
"Mommy, Grandma doesn't know that I'm not a girly girl who  likes to wear fancy clothes and keep clean." -Mayhem


Construction of the chicken coop begins.
I can do this!
Our coop is up, but it isn't ready to been published for the world to see. In the meantime, read about a beautiful chicken coop my friend built: Red Barn Chicken Coop.

Recommended Reading:

Backyard Chickens for Beginners

Building Chicken Coops For Dummies

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Preschool and Sayings for Facebook? Follow Us Kids Creative Chaos :)

Follow Us for Lyrics, Sayings, and Quotes for Facebook 

We're trying to grow our Internet following. We are growing like weeds on Pinterest, but our Facebook page needs some love. We share lots of fun preschool ideas, activities, and quotes to share on your Facebook wall. Click on the Quotes tab above for images and sayings to share. Scroll down for the Lyrics to Tri Sigma's Follow Us.  Enjoy!


Follow Us Lyrics and Please follow Kids Creative Chaos on Facebook
Follow Us, Kids Creative Chaos on Facebook.
Please, hop over and join the conversations. I love to see your ideas. Feel free to share links to your blog posts on our wall too. 

This reminds me of a sorority song, "Follow Us". We sang it during rush at Ball State University. Hmm... Did you ever sing that song or a similar version in church? It was taken from a John Denver song,  "Follow Me".



Tri Sigma Greek Letters Logo: Sigma Sigma Sigma  Follow Us Song Lyrics.
Sigma Sigma Sigma  Follow Us Song Lyrics.


Sigma Sigma Sigma "Follow Us" Song Lyrics:


It goes something like this: 

Follow us where we go, what we say and what we do

(Yikes... that's creepy- never noticed.)

Make it part of you to be a Sigma Tri.
Follow us up and down all the way and all around.
Take our hands and say you'll follow too.

Oh my gosh, just found this Tri Sigma rap song on You Tube. My, how things have changed. 


Back to the point- You can follow Kids Creative Chaos, on Facebook, Pinterest (Pin it! Online Preschool Scavenger Hunt), Twitter (@playconnection), and You Tube

Make it part of your busy day too.

Follow us over here, over there, and everywhere.
Take our lead and be a follower too.

You know it's long been on my mind.

That's why I asked you to follow me today.
To try to find a way that you can help share what I say. :)

Thanks for following. We love our friends and followers. Feel free to start a conversation in the comment section following our posts.

Recommended Reading:

Community Service Project Ideas for Sororities

College 101: A Girl's Guide to Freshman Year

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Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, and Captain Hook Coloring Pages for Kids

Printable Peter Pan and Tinkerbell Coloring Sheets for Teens


That silly Tinker Bell always so stubborn and jealous. It's a wonder Peter Pan stays her friend. I guess she's got too many endearing qualities. Who is the most famous pirate ever? No, not Jack Sparrow. It's Captain Hook, of course! 

We've got coloring pages and activity sheets from the Movie. Click on the images for a free printable pdf version. If you aren't feeling it, just right click the image and save to your computer to print later. It won't be a perfect 8 x 11, but it will do! 
Peter Pan Coloring Pages with Tink
Peter Pan Coloring and Activity Sheets.


Looking for more free printables

Disney Tinkerbell Tinker Bell Coloring Sheet for Teen Girls
Tinkerbell coloring pages.



Maybe some fun clip art or homeschool lesson worksheets


Peter Pan's Captain Hook Free Printable Activity Sheet
Peter Pan's Captain Hook Free Printable Activity Sheet.



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