Play, Sensory & Communication Toolkit | Activities & Observation Forms

Support meaningful play, sensory exploration, and communication with this 9-page Play, Sensory & Communication Toolkit! Designed for preschool teachers, childcare providers, early childhood educators, and families, this printable collection combines simple home play ideas, a child-friendly choice activity, and a comprehensive observation form. Especially useful for supporting autistic children and children with different sensory and communication preferences, the toolkit encourages flexible, child-led experiences that respect individual interests, abilities, and comfort levels. What's Included: - Simple Play at Home – Family Idea Sheet (3 pages): A practical family resource featuring easy play activities that require little preparation or specialized equipment. Includes four play ideas: peek-a-boo, music and movement, sorting and grouping, and everyday play with familiar toys. Provides guidance for following children's interests, recognizing different forms of communication, respecting sensory preferences, and reflecting on shared play experiences. - What Can I Choose? Coloring and Connecting Lines (2 pages): An interactive activity that helps children explore preferences and communicate choices. Children color familiar items, including soft fabric and a toy, and match pictures to Sensory Choice and Play Choice categories. Encourages participation through pointing, coloring, marking, gestures, or verbal communication without requiring a particular response. - Play, Sensory, and Communication Observation Form (4 pages): A reusable educator observation tool for documenting children's individual play behaviors, sensory experiences, communication methods, interests, and strengths. Includes sections for: - Recording play interests and repeated activities - Observing independent, parallel, and shared play - Documenting sensory responses to sounds, textures, lighting, movement, and other experiences - Recognizing verbal and nonverbal communication - Recording gestures, vocalizations, pictures, and communication systems - Identifying environmental supports and helpful adaptations - Reflecting on children's strengths and planning future learning opportunities Perfect For: - Preschool and Pre-K classrooms - Inclusive early childhood education - Supporting autistic children - Home-school and family engagement - Sensory exploration and play-based learning - Understanding individual communication preferences - Developing choice-making opportunities - Classroom observation and documentation - Strengths-based teaching and individualized support - Early childhood professional development Why Educators Will Love It: Every child experiences play, sensory information, and communication differently. This toolkit helps educators and families create meaningful opportunities for exploration and connection while respecting children's individual preferences. The family activity sheet offers simple ideas for shared play at home, while the coloring and matching activity encourages children to express their choices in ways that work for them. The detailed observation form also helps educators recognize children's interests, understand their sensory experiences, document communication, and identify strategies that support comfortable participation. By combining child-friendly activities, family guidance, and professional observation tools, this resource provides a practical approach to supporting inclusive, responsive early childhood environments.