Sensory play is any activity that engages a child’s senses, including sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. It can be as simple as playing with different textures or exploring new smells. Sensory play is important for children because it helps them to develop their cognitive and motor skills.
There are many benefits of sensory play. It can help children to develop their fine motor skills, as they learn to manipulate small objects. It can also help to develop their gross motor skills, as they move their bodies to explore their environment. Sensory play can also help children to develop their language skills, as they learn to describe the sensations they are experiencing.
Sensory play is also beneficial for children’s emotional development. It can help them to feel calm and relaxed, as well as provide a way for them to express their feelings.
What are the Benefits?
- Developing fine motor skills
- Enhancing language development
- Supporting social and emotional development
- Improving problem-solving skills
How can you encourage sensory play?
There are many ways to encourage this form of play. Here are some ideas:
- Play with different textures: offer items with different textures for your child to explore, such as soft blankets, fluffy stuffed animals, or bumpy balls.
- Get messy: don’t be afraid to get messy! Let your child play with finger paints, Play-Doh, or mud.
- Explore new smells: introduce your child to different smells with scented markers or essential oils. You can also cook together and have your child smell the different ingredients.
- Listen to music: listen to calm music or make up your own songs and dances.
- Go on a nature walk: explore the outdoors and look for different textures, smells, and sounds. Collect leaves, stones, or flowers along the way.
Sensory interaction with equipment is a great way to encourage learning and exploration in young children. It’s also a lot of fun! So get messy, explore new smells, and make some noise today.
The School Playground Company offers a range of Sensory and Creative Play Panels that allow for inclusive play and are made from highly durable HDPE. We can also design and manufacture bespoke Sensory Play Panels to suit your needs.
Contact us today for more information.
