What is sensory play and why is it important?

What is sensory play and why is it important?

What is sensory play?

Sensory play is a lot of fun. It also offers many benefits for child development, including:
* Helping children understand how their actions affect what’s around them.
* Supporting brain development, enhancing memory, complex tasks and problem solving.
* Developing fine motor skills through tactile play (useful when children want to hold a pen or use scissors for example).
* Supporting language development, communication and social skills.
* Enhancing memory and observational skills.
* Encouraging creative and independent thinking.
* Emotional regulation by providing a calming effect on children’s angry or anxious feelings.

From the moment they're born, children use their senses to discover the world around them. Find out how to use sensory play to aid their development
Sensory play is any activity that stimulates our senses – touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. It helps children interact with and make sense of the world that surrounds them.

When can you start sensory play?

From birth, children are ready for sensory play. Children are natural explorers – they’re constantly learning and taking in what’s around them.
Sensory activities can be adapted for different ages, needs and abilities.
You can easily adapt a simple sensory activity like blowing bubbles for different children at different stages and abilities, for example:
* Babies might enjoy feeling the bubbles pop on their skin.
* Toddlers can chase after bubbles and pop them on themselves, the floor, and surfaces around them.
* For older children, try a project where they creating their own bubble mixture and blow bubbles using a wand or their hands.