How to Create an Easy, Budget Friendly Sensory Garden with Your Child

Our senses do more than help us see, hear, taste, smell and feel. All learning begins in our sensory system. By providing our children controlled, intentional sensory exposure we not only enhance their learning potential but also receive valuable insight into their development that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Because many childhood conditions such as ADD and autism have their roots in a disorganized sensory system we should be acutely aware of our kid's sensory preferences.

Designing a sensory garden is a fun, practical and educational experience that promotes development while feeding the sensory needs of all children. In addition, it's a bonding experience that shouldn't be missed. You don't need two green thumbs, be creative genius or have money to splurge to have a successful gardening experience. The only prerequisite is an intense desire to bond with your child and willingness to provide a simplistic, somewhat forgotten educational experience.

The garden may be large and complex, simple and economical or somewhere in between. Our small garden measuring approximately 10 ft long and 7 ft wide has been meeting the sensory needs of my youngest special needs son for nearly seven years. The only thing smaller than the garden is the budget it's created on.

Begin by surveying your yard for the ideal area to dedicate to the garden. Consider all aspects of the garden such as is it too close to the road where noise will be a problem or will a nearby stream add extra pizzazz? You should also consider the placement of the sun during the times you'll likely be using the garden. If you live in a hot, dry region you may want your garden, or at least a portion of it, shaded.

Your garden doesn't need to be covered in plants in order to be visually stimulating. The types of plants selected and how they compare to one another is more important. Place plants at varying heights by hanging them, placing in pots and planting directly into the ground. Colors can be starkly opposite in one area, such as white flowers next to deep dark ones, or blend them with colors that evolve so subtly that it's difficult to tell where one plant ends and another begins. Remember to carefully follow care instructions for all plants, as they may be vastly different

Water has long been a soothing sound but you don't need a large expensive pond or fountain to receive the desired effect. A small table fountain will provide the flexibility of mobility in order to meet changing sensory needs. A concealed fountain provides the relaxation of the sound of water without the visual distraction. But there may be times when small hands need to feel the coolness of water running over them.

You can forego the fountain all together but still reap the benefits of running water by using a small sprinkler. A sprinkler system simultaneously provides plants the water they need and the claming sound the child needs. Put your child in a bathing suit and allow him or her to play in the water and you've got an entirely new sensory feeder.

Wind chimes delicately tinkling in the breeze are another calming sound. Chimes come in a vast selection of sizes, shapes and sounds. As, with the plants, placing chimes at different heights enhances their visual and auditory effect.

Taste is easy to achieve if you have a large area that allows for the planting of vegetables. For smaller areas I recommend planting herbs such as cilantro, basil, oregano and rosemary that can be used to add to dishes or taste directly from the garden. With their strong distinct scent herbs stimulate both taste and sense of smell. Another distinctive scent is mint. Mint can be purchased in the kid friendly flavor of chocolate.

To promote a healthy sense of touch provide distinctly different textures and use development appropriate language to describe objects you explore with your child. It's easier for younger children to grasp the meaning of words such as rough and smooth when provided a concrete example of each. But don't limit the focus of touch strictly on the hands. Allow children to kick off their shoes and explore the garden in bare feet. Whether in barefoot or shoes, walking on uneven surfaces aids balance and coordination, so use stepping stones, rocks, mulch and grass for kids to navigate.

Your garden doesn't have to be complex; only sensory stimulating. There are no right or wrong ways. Your garden shouldn't be a financial burden. With only minute exceptions all the items I've listed can be purchased for a buck at your local Dollar Tree. So, relax and have fun; secure in the knowledge that you're creating memories and experiences that the greatest wealth in the entire world cannot purchase.

www.sensorytrust.org.uk/news/newsletters/newsletter_5/sensory_garden.html

Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA The Out-of-Sync Child pgs. 38-60
www.outofsncchild.com