Christmas is right around the corner, and we felt so excited to celebrate this cheerful atmosphere along with the kids. Last week, to welcome this holiday season, our babies got to experience digging through snow with their scoopers. Since the babies enjoyed playing with the icy snow last time, we wondered what would happen if the snow felt a little different this time. So today, we brought in a Christmas Sensory Bin made with fake snow (made with baking soda mixed in with shaving cream), then we put different kinds of ornaments on top, along with pompoms, and beaded necklaces with bells attached to it.

Zendaya was looking with curiosity. We gave her a selection of ornaments, and Zendaya kept her attention on the golden leaf ornament. She would brush her fingers along its ridges, before lifting it up, and shake it with full energy. Nearby, Paxton reached straight for the red textured ornament, dragging his fingers across the rough surface. Soon he found the beaded necklaces and made them dance with a happy, happy shake!

One by one, the babies all gathered around the Christmas Bin. Vihana, Jason, and Zendaya each grabbed one necklace and filled the room with tiny jingles. Wyatt arrived with bright energy, picked up two necklaces at once, and waggled them with a big smile that matched the lively sound. Jingle, jingle!

Later, Habiba and Remy took their time exploring. They picked up the ornaments and pressed their fingertips into the snow. When Habiba touched the snow lightly, we asked her whether it felt soft, and Habiba began moving her hands through it in slow strokes. Remy tapped the snow, lifted handfuls, and proudly showed us what he had scooped up. 

Through this play, the infants explored different textures and showed their own preferences for what felt interesting to them. They used their hands and fingers to feel the ornaments and to move the necklaces up and down. At the same time, they were exploring the concept of cause and effect, as they noticed that shaking the necklaces made the bells jingle.