What is Sensory Play and Why is it Important?

We believe that children are intuitive and skillful people who are actively engaging in their own research. And sensory play is exactly that – research! During sensory play children are pioneers in their own learning.

Firstly, what is sensory play?

Sensory play is a range of learning experiences that support and stimulate children’s senses – touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing. Supporting them to explore and become involved in sensory learning experiences will help develop critical thinking – how and why things are the way they are.

Spatial awareness, size, shape, hard, soft, rough, smooth, loud and quiet are all concepts that are lay the foundation for further learning and development. Our Educators initiate various learning experience to extend on children’s sensory development. Shaving foam, collage, water, sound trees, ball pits, light trays are some of the resources on offer for children to experience in their own way, and to unpack their theories about the world around them.

Toddlers are very tactile people and learning a lot of valuable concepts through sensory play. Shaving foam is used to support this as many variances can be implemented. Shaving foam is smooth and soft on its own – but what happens when you put it on a hard table and it adds another dimension? Other tactile objects such as sand or bark can added to the shaving foam to change the texture.

What materials can be used in sensory play?

• Shaving foam for soft smooth textures
• Water play for motor development and mathematics and scientific skills
• Collage – creativity, colour recognition, expressing thoughts and feelings
• Sound station – beat, rhythm, movement, coordination

It may get a little messy at times, but the learning that comes from these experiences are invaluable!

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