Blue Sponges for Autism Awareness

April is Autism awareness month here in Australia and as there is currently an international ‘Go Blue' campaign occurring I decided to do some blue themed activities with the girls over the next few weeks to perhaps help raise a little awareness! You can read more about Autism and the Go Blue campaign here .

I have been researching and learning a little more about Autism and the spectrum recently and have realised that although I thought I knew a fair bit because of my early childhood training, I was saddened to realise that I too had come to believe many of the myths I had read. Perhaps you have too without realising it. I encourage everyone to have a glance at this post… Family and Autism.

We had an absolutely glorious morning and although I wasn't going to post today I just had to share the fun with someone!

The sun was shining for a change, warm but not hot with a lovely breeze blowing and the toddler twosome played beautifully together…nobody wanted to come inside but it was worth the late lunch and naptime (I may not agree at 7.30 tonight when they don't go to sleep though!)

I decided to collect some different shaped sponges from around the house to provide the girls with a different painting experience full of sensory possibilities! Using our trusty tray I dumped some blue cornflour paint onto the paper on the tray and let the girls choose the sponge they wanted to explore. They squished (I wouldn't quite say dipped at this age!) and then stamped. Different sponges made different patterns!

We had sea sponges…

We had bath/shower soft scrubbers….

We had kitchen sponge cut into strips and pegged to use as handles when dabbing…..Pegs clipped onto strips of kitchen sponge are always good fun for toddlers and great to dip into water paint too as they have their own little handles to hold!

We had large, soft bath sponges that I wrapped in vegetable netting collected from the shopping…

And lots and lots of blue!

We stamped on paper on the tray but we also just stamped on the tray for clearer patterns!

Of course, then we had to mess all the patterns up because we are toddlers! Older children enjoy making their stamping patterns a little more distinct!

Very budget-friendly and quick to prepare…but lots of fun, just the way we like it!

Just had to share this pic… she stamped the side of her face and this is the reaction!

Ruby was really fascinated with these sponges and just loved exploring the rope and patting them to her face!

What do you use sponges around the house for??

See more easy ideas for play-based learning like this one in my Play Prompt Planner!

A Little About Me

Jodie Clarke is an early childhood professional supporting educators who want and need to stay passionate about the work they do! She has 30 years hands-on experience in the early childhood and human services sectors across many different roles.

Jodie is mum to 3 in Australia and has already helped thousands of educators with their work through her popular blog posts, activity ideas, online training and e-books.