
Sensory play has become a powerful teaching tool for helping young children in their early year of development. By engaging all of their five senses of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell children can play in ways that not only provide them with fun and enjoyment but also offer them a range of other benefits that can help them in their development. This article will explore some of those benefits in more detail below.
Cognitive Development
Sensory play provides opportunities for children to explore, experiment, and problem-solve. Activities like sorting objects by texture or color can help build critical thinking skills and improve memory.
For instance, when a child digs through a bin of rice to find hidden objects, they’re not just having fun, they’re also learning concepts like spatial awareness and concentration. Additionally, sensory play often introduces early math and science concepts in a hands-on way, making abstract ideas more tangible and easier to grasp for young children.
Language Development
When children engage in sensory activities, they are exposed to new textures, smells, and sensations, which may prompt questions and conversations. Parents and educators can use these opportunities to introduce descriptive language, helping children naturally expand their vocabulary. Phrases like “squishy slime,” or “fizzy reaction” can allow young children to connect words with experiences, enhancing their communication skills over time.
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Sensory play can also support physical development in young children. Activities like molding clay or threading beads require precise hand movements which strengthen children’s fine motor skills. On the other hand, larger sensory activities like jumping into a ball pit can help them develop their gross motor skills by encouraging their coordination and balance. These skills can help children with foundational tasks such as writing, tying their shoes, and navigating physical spaces.
Frequent exposure to certain materials during sensory play can sometimes lead to dry skin. To help keep your children’s skin hydrated and healthy and to help with dry skin, consider using hypoallergenic soaps and moisturizers after play sessions.
Emotional Regulation
Sensory play can be very calming for young children, making it an excellent tool for their emotional regulation. Activities like kneading dough, playing with kinetic sand, or watching glitter settle in a sensory bottle can help children process feelings of stress or frustration. These soothing and therapeutic activities can help young children channel their emotions, making them especially beneficial for children with sensory processing challenges such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Social Interaction
Many sensory activities encourage children to play, interact and collaborate with other children. Group activities, such as creating a sensory art project, or making musical instruments with pots pans, and other kitchen utensils can teach young children valuable social skills like sharing, taking turns, and working together as a team. These interactions can help build their confidence and empathy, enabling them to form healthy and positive friendships in the future.
In addition to being great fun, sensory play can serve as a vital part of childhood development that nurtures creativity, curiosity and intellect. By providing children with these enriching experiences, they can be given the tools to express themselves and understand and explore the world around them.