Exploring Our Five Senses: A One-Week Themed Learning Plan

Welcome to a cozy week of sensory exploration! As the crisp autumn air settles in across Ontario, it is a wonderful time to notice how we experience the world around us. This week-long plan focuses on our five senses, using simple, hands-on activities that you can easily use at home or in a small group. Please remember that plans should always be adapted to each child’s own goals and pace.

Goals for the week

Communication: Using sensory words like soft, loud, bumpy, and sweet during play.
Early literacy: Matching pictures of autumn items to descriptive words.
Early math: Sorting leaves and items by texture, size, or sound.
Social-emotional: Exploring calming sensory tools and sharing observations together.
Fine and gross motor: Practicing pinching, grasping, and moving through space safely.

Exploring Our Five Senses: A One-Week Themed Learning Plan — Photo by Alan Rodriguez on Unsplash

Day-by-day plan

Monday

Main activity: Sight walk around the yard or living room to spot orange, yellow, and red items. Extension: Point and name three items you see outside the window.

Tuesday

Main activity: Sound shaker bottles made with dry rice or pasta in recycled containers. Extension: Shake them softly and loudly to match a rhythm.

Wednesday

Main activity: Touch texture board featuring smooth stones, rough bark, and soft fabric. Extension: Close eyes and guess the texture by touch alone.

Thursday

Main activity: Smell jars filled with familiar autumn scents like cinnamon and pine. Extension: Talk about whether the smell feels cozy or strong.

Friday

Main activity: Taste test with simple, safe snacks like crunchy crackers and sweet apple slices. Extension: Describe how the food feels and tastes in your mouth.

Materials

Recycled plastic bottles with dry rice and pasta
Collection of autumn leaves, bark, and fabric scraps
Cotton balls with a touch of cinnamon or pine
Safe snack items like apple slices and crackers

Tracking progress

Notice which sensory experiences bring comfort or excitement.
Note new words used to describe textures, sounds, or sights.
Observe how your child engages with each daily activity.

Every child’s pace is different, and exploring the senses is all about curiosity and comfort.

If you would like more personalized guidance for your child, we invite you to book a free 20-minute call with our team at Bloom ABA to explore how our teaching resources and support plans can help.

Cover image: photo by Anita Jankovic on Unsplash

Creating a Calm Corner: Practical Steps for Grocery Shopping Overwhelm

Navigating Everyday Outings with Confidence

Grocery shopping can sometimes feel like a sensory maze for children with Autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences. Bright fluorescent lights, loud announcements, and bustling aisles can quickly lead to sudden emotional overwhelm. When your child feels flooded in public, it helps to have a gentle, predictable routine in place before you even step through the sliding doors.

As a neuro-affirming Toronto practice, we know that every child experiences the world at their own unique pace. Instead of rushing through the errand, try viewing the trip through your child’s sensory lens. Small adjustments can make a big difference in helping everyone stay grounded and connected.

Creating a Calm Corner: Practical Steps for Grocery Shopping Overwhelm — Photo by Xavier Mouton Photographie on Unsplash

Simple Steps for a Smoother Trip

Preparing for an outing does not have to be complicated. By taking a few proactive steps before leaving the house, you can help your child feel more secure and ready for the change in environment. Here are a few practical strategies to try on your next trip:

Preview the outing using simple pictures or a visual schedule of what you will buy.
Pack a small comfort bag with noise-canceling headphones, a favourite fidget toy, and a familiar snack.
Choose quieter shopping hours when the store is less crowded and noisy.
Give your child a specific job, such as holding the grocery list or picking out the apples.

Every child’s pace is different, and finding what works best is a gentle journey of trial and error.

Building Long-Term Support and Resilience

Navigating emotional regulation is an ongoing process that involves both patience and the right community support. Families often explore various avenues of guidance, including foundational family services to help build practical coping strategies at home and in the community.

You can choose to access these services at any point based on your needs, at no cost.— Government of Ontario, “Ontario Autism Program: foundational family services”

If you would like individualized guidance tailored to your child’s specific sensory or emotional needs, we invite you to book a free 20-minute call with our team. We are always here to listen, answer your questions, and help you build a supportive plan that fits your family.

Sources

Ontario Autism Program: foundational family services — Government of Ontario

Quotes are copied from the official pages linked above. This article is general information, not medical advice.

Cover image: photo by Johnny Cohen on Unsplash