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In early childhood education, we're always looking for better ways to help young children learn and grow. One method that has shown great results is sensory play in early years. This blog will explore what sensory play is, why it's important, and how it helps children develop.
Sensory play is a key part of how young children learn about the world. It involves activities that engage the senses and help children make sense of their environment. Let's look at what sensory play means and why it's so valuable for young learners.
Sensory play is any activity that stimulates a child's senses. This includes touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing, and movement. When children engage in sensory play, they use their senses to explore and learn about the things around them.
Young children's brains grow and develop rapidly. During this time, sensory experiences play a big role in helping them learn. These experiences help build connections in the brain that are important for learning and development.
Sensory play offers a wide range of benefits for young children. It helps them develop in many areas, from thinking skills to emotional control. Let's explore some of the main ways sensory play helps children grow and learn.
When children play with different materials, they learn to think critically and solve problems. They might figure out how to stack blocks or sort objects by color. These activities help build important thinking skills.
Sensory play encourages children to:
For example, when playing with water, children might learn about volume by filling different sized containers. This hands-on experience helps them understand abstract concepts in a concrete way.
Sensory play often encourages children to talk about what they're doing. They might describe how something feels or smells. This helps them learn new words and get better at communicating.
Benefits for language include:
For instance, during a nature walk, children might learn words like "crunchy" for fallen leaves or "rough" for tree bark, enriching their descriptive language.
Many sensory play activities involve using hands and fingers in precise ways. Things like squeezing, pinching, or molding help strengthen the small muscles needed for writing and other detailed tasks.
Sensory play helps develop:
Activities like playing with playdough or threading beads can significantly improve these skills. These abilities are crucial for later tasks such as writing, using scissors, or tying shoelaces.
Playing with sensory materials can be calming for children. It can help them manage stress and strong feelings. This is especially helpful for children who might have trouble processing sensory information.
Emotional benefits include:
For example, squeezing a stress ball or running hands through a bin of dry rice can provide a calming sensory input for an overstimulated child.
When children engage in sensory play together, they learn important social skills. They practice sharing, taking turns, and working together. These skills are crucial for making friends and getting along with others.
Social benefits of sensory play include:
For instance, in a sandpit, children might work together to build a sandcastle, learning to share tools and space while collaborating towards a common goal.
Sensory play provides a rich foundation for creative thinking and imaginative play. It allows children to explore and create without the pressure of producing a specific end result.
Creative benefits include:
For example, playing with colored shaving cream might inspire a child to create swirling patterns or imagine it as colorful clouds in a fantasy world.
While often overlooked, sensory play can significantly contribute to a child's physical development, beyond just fine motor skills.
Physical benefits include:
Activities like walking on textured mats or crawling through tunnels with different surfaces can help develop these physical skills.
Sensory play can be a great way to introduce children to different cultures and expand their understanding of the world.
Cultural benefits include:
For instance, a sensory bin filled with spices commonly used in Indian cuisine can introduce children to new smells and spark conversations about different foods and cultures.
There are many fun and easy ways to include sensory play in a child's day. Here are some popular activities that children enjoy and learn from.
Playing with sand and water is a classic sensory activity. Children can pour, measure, and create with these materials. It's a great way to learn about textures and basic concepts like "full" and "empty".
Squishing and shaping playdough or clay is both fun and educational. It helps develop hand strength and creativity. You can find a variety of sensory toys, including different types of playdough and clay.
Sensory bins are containers filled with materials like rice, beans, or pasta. Children can scoop, pour, and explore these materials. It's a great way to learn about different textures and practice fine motor skills.
Going outside and exploring nature offers many sensory experiences. Children can touch different leaves, listen to bird sounds, and smell flowers. It's a great way to connect with the environment and learn about the natural world.
Playing with musical instruments helps children explore sounds and rhythms. It's good for developing listening skills and coordination.
Having the right equipment makes sensory play easier and more fun. There are many options available to suit different needs and spaces. Our early years collection includes many items designed for young children's sensory play.
It's helpful to have different areas for different types of sensory play. This can help keep things organized and make cleanup easier. You might have one area for messy play, another for quiet activities, and another for active play.
While sensory play is generally beneficial, there can be some challenges. It's important to be aware of these and know how to handle them.
Sensory play doesn't have to stop when children leave school or daycare. Parents can play a big role in continuing sensory learning at home.
Encouraging parents to do sensory activities at home can help reinforce what children learn at school. Providing ideas and resources for at-home sensory play can be very helpful for parents.
Holding workshops for parents can be a great way to show them the benefits of sensory play. These workshops can teach parents how to set up sensory activities at home and understand why they're important.
We've seen how sensory play in early years offers many benefits for young children. From helping with thinking skills to supporting emotional growth, sensory play touches on all areas of a child's development.
By including sensory play in early education, we're giving children valuable experiences that help them learn and grow. As teachers, parents, and caregivers, we can create rich sensory environments that encourage children to explore and discover.
Every time a child plays with sand, splashes in water, or explores a new texture, they're learning about the world around them. Let's continue to support and encourage sensory play, helping each child reach their full potential.
