Mixing: Corn and Beans

After the girls loved the rice activity so much, we did another similar mixing bin. This time I used corn kernels and dried black beans in a shallow dish - a 9x13 casserole dish. I started with only the corn. Abby tried a few times to put it in her mouth, but every time she did I would stir her hands in the corn so she could feel it - not taste it. After a few minutes I added a small cup of beans. Abby really liked mixing them together and sending both flying all over the porch. Alyssa was a little more guarded. She didn't really play in the dish, but would play with a cup full at a time and was busy picking up kernels and beans. They both did a little stirring (and smacking) with the honey dipper. We lasted about 20 minutes then Abby would not stop putting them in her mouth. 

Quick thoughts:

• Compared to the rice, I liked the corn and beans better because the kernels were big enough for Alyssa to pick up individually - go fine motor skills!- and she really liked picking them up, too.
• I think this is helping Abby put less stuff in her mouth. She was pretty good for the first 20 minutes.
• I have seen a lot of other sensory bins that are full of lots of different shapes, toys, sizes. I think we are building up to that. These girls don't have much focus - less than singleton babies - they are always distracting each other! So we are adding a little. But I think I'll do an occasional "fully loaded" bin.
• I love how easy it is to set up and clean up! I think I might go sweep off the porch though. The rice was washed away by the rain, so I'll see if I still need to sweep after the forecasted storms...