Sensory play is essential for all children to learn how their bodies work and how to process and interpret the world around them.
The benefits of sensory play:
It helps to build nerve connections in the brain.
It encourages the development of motor skills.
It supports language development.
It encourages ‘scientific thinking’ and problem solving.
It can involve mindful activities which are beneficial for all children.
What is sensory play?
Sensory play is any activity that stimulates the senses. There are five main senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, and two lesser-known senses, vestibular (sense of balance) and proprioceptive (sense of where each part of the body is in relation to the rest of the body). The more children use their senses, the more they develop them and the ability to learn to use them.
- Help children learn. The more senses a child uses when learning something new, the better equipped he or she will be to keep in mind and remember the information later.
- Develop the language. When children describe a sensory play activity and how it feels to experience it, they gain an understanding of words and that helps them develop a rich, descriptive vocabulary.
- Promotes social interaction. Children of all abilities can participate in sensory play. Typically developing peers may be apprehensive about approaching a child who looks or acts differently than they do. Sensory play activities can naturally entice children to reach out and investigate. Getting children to approach each other is the first step to interaction.
- Develops motor skills. Whether kids are making waves on a water table or drawing circles with shaving cream, they’re strengthening the muscles in their bodies that are needed for activities of daily living, like zipping up a jacket or brushing their teeth .
With sensory play, as with all play, safety is important. Keep these tips in mind when preparing their sensory play activities:
- Supervise: Whether directly or within earshot, children should always know that an adult is nearby to help, if needed.
- Be aware of overstimulation: For some children, flashing lights are a sensory delight to look at; for others, those same lights can trigger seizures. Consider your child’s needs and limitations.
- Make sure they are developmentally appropriate. Consider age, abilities, and skills when choosing an activity. If children are still exploring with their mouths, make sure the activities you present have pieces large enough not to present a choking hazard and are non-toxic.
