Frequently Asked Questions

BUSY LITTLE LEARNERS EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM FAQ

 

When will my order ship?

We ship all of our orders USPS Priority, unless otherwise selected at checkout. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a multitude of families looking for educational support, we are experiencing a high volume of orders. Shipping delays are expected.  

*Please note that Covid-19 has increased delays with USPS, and due to the national climate situation-many of our suppliers have been delayed as well. 

Is this just a box of sensory tools?

Not at all! In fact, it’s so much more! What makes our sensory kits unique is that they contain play plans that show you and your child exactly how to use each material and how long to use each material to get results. Even more special is that each educational play plan corresponds to a National Standard, so you are able to pick and choose which standard you want to work on with each session.

What approach does Busy Little Learners Education Curriculum use?

Busy Little Learners is an innovative early childhood curriculum that follows a play-based & multi-sensory approach. Our curriculum kits include a parent plan, play plans for your child, and a complete set of materials to be used with each play plan. Our curriculum will foster your child’s pre-writing skills, handwriting skills, critical thinking, early math concepts, letter recognition, science investigation, sensory development, creativity & more. 

What is multi-sensory teaching? 

A multi-sensory approach involves multiple sensory modalities: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and tactile; all of which help to improve memory. Whether your child is a tactile learner, visual learner, or both…we’ve got you covered. Our unique curriculum kits tap into all sensory learning channels, allowing your child to learn and remember specific skill sets in the most lasting and memorable way. Through PLAY!

What does the research say?

Did you know that a child’s brain is hardwired to learn through the senses? Roughly 80% of the information the brain intakes is visual. Infants develop auditory language through hearing adult speech. Even movement is linked with academic success. Expert teachers find creative ways to incorporate all elements of the senses into effective academic lessons that will benefit all learners cognitively, emotionally, and physically.

Are there other benefits to multi-sensory programs?

Using a multi-sensory approach is highly motivating and engaging. When children are having fun, they will also be more likely to learn and remember information. Sensory play is a natural way that children learn about their worlds, so by using a sensory, play-based approach to learning how to write, children satisfy their sensory development as well as learn new motor patterns.

How will  Busy Little Learners meet my child's learning style needs?

Busy Little Learners offers a variety of curriculum options that use multi-sensory teaching and play to address the needs of different learners. Multisensory education focuses on a variety of teaching strategies that appeal to and engage different types of learners in fun and motivating ways. This teaching method allows more neural pathways in the brain to become stimulated, as a range of senses are tapped on. By teaching through multiple senses, you are ensuring that your child will learn through visual stimulation, auditory stimulation and movement… as all these pathways are being addressed and reached.

Do multi-sensory programs help kids with special needs?

Yes!  Multiple studies have taken place involving children with different special needs.  In a study involving kids with dyslexia, use of multi-sensory teaching  showed an advantage over the structured intervention for participants. Another study showed that bottom-up brain connections, which are activated by using a multi-sensory teaching approach, capture attention. Another research study suggested that multisensory integration plays a vital role in improving the working memory in children with ADHD and ASD.

What is the time commitment & how does it all work?

Sensory Together provides you with the same expertly crafted strategies & plans that you would receive from your child's occupational therapist and/or early childhood teacher. With just 20 MINUTES of non-consecutive PLAY A DAY with our educational kit, your child will develop a solid foundation for more complex skills and overall success in school & beyond. Simply open your kit, select a play plan, match it to the materials in the kit, and ‘play’ with your child. Each play plan teaches your child in creative, imaginative, fun ways! 

What does a curriculum kit contain?

Each curriculum kit contains all the materials you need to address your child's learning goals. There is no prep needed. You will receive:

  • A  parent plan manual (digital download)
  • Over 20 play plans (digital download)
  • All corresponding physical materials that are used with each play plan.
  • You will also receive a certificate of completion (digital download) that you can give to your child. You can submit a copy of the certificate to your school district as part of your progress portfolio.

What is a parent plan?

Parent plans are sent via digital download and explain the developmental/therapeutic benefits of the products and materials inside your kit, as well as discuss how each plan addressed curriculum standards for your child's grade level. A parent plan is a complete manual that explains the following:

  • ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
  • NATIONAL CURRICULUM STANDARDS
  • DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS
  • WHY WE USE (AND LOVE) THE MATERIALS IN OUR KITS
  • WHAT TO WATCH FOR  DURING YOUR 20 MINS OF PLAY A DAY

What is a play plan?

A play plan is a child-friendly visual menu that shows the steps of each task/activity - sent to you via PDF file (digital download). Each expertly crafted play plan activity is grade/level specific and directly aligns with the National Standards  for either Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd Grade. Plans will have a focus on pre-writing, handwriting, critical thinking, early math concepts, letter recognition, self-regulation, sensory development and/or creativity. They also correspond to therapy goals in the areas of:

    • Sensory Play
    • Shape Making
    • Drawing
    • Hand Development
    • Hand Strengthening
    • Fine Motor Coordination

What are the benefits of a play plan?

We get it! It’s one thing to hand your child sensory play materials and another thing for your child to know how to use them. This is especially true if your child struggles with sensory issues such as sensory avoiding or sensory seeking. When children face sensory challenges, sensory experiences often result in more agitation or even a fearful response. Kids need to be exposed to sensory play, but in a way that allows them to engage without being more hyperactive, anxious, and/or dysregulated. Our play plans show you how to engage your child with the sensory materials included in your kit. The result? Increased calm, progress in development, and good self-regulation.We don't expect you to walk through it alone. 

How many play plans are included in my kit?

Get ready to play! You will receive over 20 digital play plans- all sent straight to your inbox. Each plan will show you how to use the materials inside your kit to keep your little one engaged in learning. We *highly recommend* taking the time to print and laminate your play plans (and any other digital learning materials you may receive) for durability and for use with our dry-erase scented markers and other sensory materials. 

What if I want more activities?

You're in luck! When you make a purchase with us, you're automatically invited to our private, online community Busy Little Learners: At Home. Busy Little Learners: At Home is where you will find a plethora of community ideas-sharing, real-time answers from the experts, extensions to your curriculum questions, play-time inspiration & more. You must enter a valid order confirmation number from a recent Sensory Together purchase to gain access to this valuable online community. This private group is meant to extend the life of your curriculum kit and takes it a step further. It is a safe place to come together, share and learn. 

 

References: 

Christie, S. (2000). The brain: Utilizing multi-sensory approaches for individual learning styles. Education, 121(2), 327-330.

Diamant, R., & Nealon, B. (2018). Relationships Among Visual–Perceptual–Motor Skills, Sensory 

Jensen, E. (1998). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexandria: VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Processing Behaviors, and Handwriting in School-Age Children With Autism. American Journal Occupational Therapy 72(4), https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.72S1-PO8009

Parham, L. D., & Mailloux, Z. (1996). Sensory integration. In J. Case-Smith, A. S. Allen, & P. N. Pratt (Eds.), Occupational therapy for children

Schlesinger, N., Gray, S., & Schlesinger, N. W. (2017). The impact of multisensory instruction on learning letter names and sounds, word reading, and spelling. Annals of Dyslexia, 67(3), 219–258. https://doi-org.ezai.ez.cwmars.org:3243/10.1007/s11881-017-0140-z

Wilmes, B., Harrington, L., Kohler-Evans, P., & Sumpter, D. (2008). Coming to our senses: Incorporating brain research findings into classroom instruction. Education, 128(4), 659-666. 

Woodward, S., & Swinth, Y. (2002). Multisensory Approach to Handwriting Remediation: Perceptions of School-Based Occupational Therapists. American Journal Occupational Therapy 56(3), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.56.3.305