Sensory bins are often regarded highly for developing a child's fine motor skills, but in speech therapy, they can also be a very effective tool for targeting a variety of goals. Utilizing sensory bins help to transform structured tasks into engaging, hands-on play that incorporates a child’s need for movement and tactile input. They can serve as a grounding tool, helping students feel calm and regulated. When a child’s body is regulated, their willingness and ability to communicate often improves. Rather than asking students to sit and perform drills, sensory play invites language through shared experience, play and exploration.
Why Sensory Bins Work in Speech Therapy
Sensory bins transform structured activities into play that incorporates a child's kinesthetics. It is a fabulous grounding technique to allow students to feel calm and supported. When bodies find this sense of regulation, willingness to communicate can increase. Sensory bins are especially useful for students who struggle with anxiety, attention, and regulation.
Sensory play creates natural opportunities for:
- Commenting and labeling
- Requesting and turn-taking
- Following directions
- Problem-solving and joint attention
Speech & Language Goals You Can Target
One of the biggest strengths of sensory bins is their flexibility. With a little guidance from the clinician, they can support a wide range of goals, including:
- Expressive language (expanding utterances, answering questions)
- Receptive language (directions, basic concepts)
- Pragmatics (shared attention, social commenting)
- Articulation (sound-loaded objects and repeated target words)
- AAC use (core vocabulary like more, help, open, in, out)
The materials stay the same, but the targets can be fluid.
How to Build a Sensory Bin (Without Overthinking It)
You don’t need anything elaborate. Start with:
- One base material (rice, beans, kinetic sand, clay, cotton balls, shredded paper)
- A small set of manipulatives tied to your goals (animals, vehicles, letters, picture cards, and even target words for articulation)
- Consider which children may be oral seekers, and avoid using unsafe items that could be placed in the mouth.
Before the session, ask yourself:
- What language do I want to model?
- What sounds might this student be working on?
- How will the student interact with the materials?
During play, narrate what’s happening, model simple language, expand student attempts, and give plenty of wait time. Follow the student’s lead while gently guiding the interaction toward your goals.
Simple Tools, Powerful Language
Sensory bins don’t need to be extensive or time-consuming to be effective. When used intentionally, they create a calm, engaging space where communication feels safe and meaningful.
They aren’t about keeping students busy; they’re about creating the right conditions for language to grow. Consider using these fun tips to elevate speech and language treatment for sensory engagement!
Hannah Collie M.S., CCC-SLP
