Sensory Boxes Karyn O’Brien, Sensational Kids,School-based Occupational Therapist Sensory boxes are a great way to develop some of the basic skills we need for everyday life. At birth, most of us are born with a basic set of reflexes that help us to survive. As we grow and develop, we build different  skills that allow us to explore our environments and learn. Children develop most of their skills through exploring and playing. Tasting, smelling, touching, listening, watching, copying, throwing, crawling and climbing are just some of the ways we explore the world around us. Sensory boxes can support learning through experimenting with different sensations and activities. What can you put in a sensory box? Anything that is not sharp, dangerous or toxic. It is always advised that you do not leave a child playing alone with a sensory box to reduce the risk of choking or injury. Be aware […]
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Games and Activities to Improve Visual Perceptual Processing Skills Karyn O’Brien, Sensational Kids,School-based Occupational Therapist These are a few examples of simple brain-break ideas that can be used throughout the day to develop many skills, while also giving brains a nice break from the curriculum. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and many other games can also help. For example; Guess Who Snap Pairs Arts and craft Jigsaws Puzzles  Pegboards Ball sports/ badminton (PE) Mosaics Tricky fingers Tangram Skill development areas: Visual discrimination, visual figure ground, pattern recognition, spatial awareness, visual memory, fine motor skills, visual tracking, visual motor integration, planning and organisational skills, eye-hand coordination. Tricky fingers Can be played solo, in pairs or as relay teams. Pick a pattern from cards With the glass side up, use your fingers underneath to move the coloured balls around to match the pattern. See how fast you can […]
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The incredible light up cyclone spinner creates colourful 3D spheres of light before your very eyes!
With six multi coloured LEDs, the arms of the spinner create a windmill effect whilst the head of the spinner rotates resulting in outstanding colourful 3D effects!
At 18cm long, this amazing spinner packs a visual punch and with batteries included, you’re all ready to go!
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I learn new words and social skills.
Turn over the image cards one by one and look if the image is on your bingo card.
Who is the first player to fill a bingo card?
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A tiny chimp invokes the universal language, uniting his friends in a group hug to end all group hugs.
Just try to resist Jez Alborough’s latest charmer!
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Feed the junk food to the gorilla, while you make a healthy meal!
This game encourages healthier eating for children in a fun way.
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Jennifer joined Sensational Kids in October 2022 to manage marketing and ecommerce. Jennifer brings over 10 years of retail experience to the Sensational Kids team having worked with some of Ireland’s best known home and technology brands on local and national digital, print, radio, and TV campaigns. A graduate from South-East Technological University and Technological University Dublin, Jennifer has a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Marketing and an MSc in Advertising. Jennifer has a proven track record of brand development and developing ecommerce infrastructure and strategy for retailers.
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Karl joins us from Mc Mahon & Co Accountants, as director and partner, where he has worked since 2007. Karl is a Qualified Chartered Accountant with 26+ years’ of experience as an accountant, auditor and manager. Karl is a native of Athy. He joined McMahon & Co Accountants Kildare in April 2007. A graduate of DCU, Karl is a qualified Chartered Accountant having completed his training with John P. Greely & Co from 1997 to 2002. During his time with John P. Greely & Co, Karl was involved in accounts preparation (Sole Traders & Ltd Companies), taxation, audit, liquidations, and business finance proposals. On leaving, John P. Greely & Co, he joined Milne O’Dwyer and Co where he led a team of 6 primarily undertaking accounts preparation, audits and tax work. He also took charge of the IT department while there and revolutionised the work practices in place. Having gained […]
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Scented Sensory Toys Scented sensory toys create a wonderful opportunity for kids to explore new scents.
This type of sensory play can restore emotional balance to soothe, relax or support concentration.
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