The Benefits of Sensory Play
What is Sensory Play?
Sensory play is any activity that stimulates any of our 5 senses. Taste, touch, sound, smell and sight are all different forms of sensory play. These activities help children interact with and make sense of the world around them by learning through their senses. It is a hands-on, sometimes messy, process that encourages curiosity, creativity, and cognitive development through activities like playing with sand, splashing in water, or finger painting.
Why is sensory play important?
Sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain, encourages problem-solving, creativity, and helps with emotional regulation by providing a safe way to explore new sensations.
Sensory play benefits children by fostering cognitive growth, supporting language development, and improving fine and gross motor skills. Sensory play can also be used as a tool to help support emotional regulation.
When can you start sensory play?
From birth children are ready to explore the world through sensory play. Children are natural explorers and they’re constantly learning and observing the world around them like tiny sponges. Sensory activities can be adapted for all different ages, needs and abilities. Infants might enjoy feeling bubbles pop on their skin or the slippery soap on their fingertips. Toddlers can explore different textures through dry sensory activities like pasta, fathers, and sand. Light projection is a form of immersive sensory play that can help with self regulation skills and reduce anxiety in stimulating environments. There are endless options when it comes to different forms of sensory play!
