Providing sensory PLAY for your child makes good old common sense! Children interact with their world via their senses. They learn about their world through their senses. Children create relationships with their environment via
•smells
•touch
•tastes
•sounds
•sights
…you get the picture! This happens holistically; on all levels for your child: physically, in their thinking; emotionally; socially and creatively. Encouraging sensory PLAY for your child isn’t only old common sense, but genius!
Give your child many chances to use and engage their senses—especially if your child is young—as it will only further their understanding of the world around them.
In my perfect world, ALL children would grow up in a place that has a sense of richness to it. Where it is beautiful to look, wonderful to smell, and pleasing to hear; with healthy and healthful foods to nourish their growing bodies. It’d be a place where touch is not just about feeling the difference between smooth and rough. In my perfect world, it would be understood TOUCH communicates how a child’s Mom or Dad–or other family members– feels about them. Parents (and grandparents!) would be mindful of their touch, knowing it communicates how they feel about their kidlets just as much, if not more, than the words they use.
YES, sensory play can bemessy, but the benefitsfaroutweigh any inconvenience in having to do some extra cleaning up!
For example,studies suggest children who are allowed to PLAY with their food grow into better eaters. Makes sense to me! Investigating, exploring, testing—I mean tasting bits here and there—in a fun and relaxed environment is more conducive to being an adventurous and enthusiastic eater!
Speaking of fun…try the learning activity below!
HANDS-ON LEARNING ACTIVITY
READ: Freddie’s Spaghetti by Charlotte Doyle This is (an old )book you’ll probably have to borrow from the library. The story line: Freddie’s anxious to dive into his plate of spaghetti. The only problem is, it’s not ready yet! So, Freddie has to find ways to entertain himself with various toys. He gets so engrossed in playing (naturally!) that his Mom has to get his attention to come eat! It’s a simple and short story for bringing up the topic of patience. A trait that can often be in short supply.
Some of you may know the old folk song, On Top of Old Smokey. Itwas changed, parodied really, into a much more kidlet-friendly tune: On Top of Spaghetti! Below are the lyrics. Give ’em a go and start this activity with a silly song:
On top of spaghetti all covered with cheese
I lost my poor meatball when somebody sneezed
It rolled off the table, it rolled on the floor
And then my poor meatball rolled out of the door
It rolled in the garden and under a bush
And then my poor meatball was nothing but mush.
The mush was as tasty as tasty could be,
And early next summer it grew to a tree.
The tree was all covered with beautiful moss
It grew great big meatballs and tomato sauce.
So if you eat spaghetti all covered with cheese,
Hold on to your meatball and don’t ever sneeze. (“ACHOO!!”)
Staying with the spaghetti theme…..
A Mountain of Spaghetti Sensory Activity!
Materials Needed:
Spaghetti
Pot
Water
Colander/Sieve
Spoon
Olive Oil
Tray
OPTIONAL:
Raspberries or blueberries
Directions:
● Cook spaghetti per instructions on package
● Drain cooked spaghetti
● Add approximately 1-2T olive oil, mix thoroughly
●Let cool
●If not playing with spaghetti immediately, store in air-tight container or plastic bag in refrigerator
OR, for longer periods, in freezer
Instructions:
● When spaghetti is cooled (or thawed) enough, place a good-sized amount on tray
● Let your child explore, investigate, move it around, pick it up–even throw it down!
● Experiment with cool spaghetti noodles and warm spaghetti noodles–how is the experience the same; how is the experience different?
NOTE: Depending on your child’s age, you might have to watch that they’re using their hands to interact with the spaghetti and not trying to eat it too. My grandbaby hasn’t been introduced to foods yet, but I didn’t think that should keep him from experiencing this great sensory activity. It just meant his mother or I had to keep our eyes on him to make sure he didn’t try to ingest the pasta!
OPTION:
●Add some berries into the spaghetti to color the pasta! IF your child is old enough to taste and/or eat a few pieces let ‘em try it!
Let me know if you give this a try! Did your kidlet try to untangle the noodles or weave their fingers through them? Remember to give them the words; helping them describe their sensations!
Yours in Play!
Teacher Karen
FAQs
In childhood development, sensory play promotes inclusive, open-ended play that cultivates vital skills, promotes self-regulation, sparks exploration, enhances problem-solving abilities, and nurtures creativity.
What are the learning outcomes of sensory play? ›
Sensory play helps children to develop both fine and gross motor skills. As children use their pincer grip, pick things up, measure, pour and manipulate objects they develop their fine motor skills. As children explore and run, stomp and more they develop their gross motor skills.
How does sensory play stimulate emotional development? ›
Sensory play activities like water play or making music can have a calming effect on children and support emotional regulation. When children can effectively manage their emotions, they are better able to problem-solve, collaborate, and interact cooperatively with their peers.
How does a child grow through play? ›
Play improves the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and young people. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. They also learn skills they need for study, work and relationships such as: confidence.
What are the sensory skills development? ›
What is sensory development? In general, it refers to the maturing of the five familiar senses: hearing, smell, taste, touch, and vision. It also involves the way your baby or child's nervous system receives input from these senses and then forms an appropriate motor or behavioral response.
What are the 5 sensory play? ›
Understanding the five senses – sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound – helps children make sense of the world around them.
What are five benefits of sensory play? ›
Sensory play can create an opportunity for children to work on their own individual skills such as:
- Social skills.
- Communication and language skills.
- Sensory and gross motor skills.
- Fine motor skills.
- Cognitive skills.
The main objective is for students to recognize and appreciate the five senses (touch, taste, sight, smell and hearing). These five senses make it possible for people to interact with others and get around in their lives. This lesson will also help students develop the oral communication skills.
Why is sensory play important for children with additional needs? ›
Through sensory play, kids can explore and communicate how they feel, and learn that their feelings are valid – whether they love the smell of lemons or hate the feeling of slime. This leads to a greater sense of self.
Why is sensory play calming? ›
Sensory Calming Activities provide sensory input and help to meet your child's sensory processing needs. They can help your child to become calm, self regulated and less fidgety. These sensory calming activities can also reduce your child's stress and anxiety.
Quick Read. Kids with sensory processing issues behave in ways that their parents often find confusing. They might react strongly to loud noises or bright lights or complain that their clothes are uncomfortable. They may be clumsy or have trouble with fine motor skills like fastening buttons.
What is the factor that helps in growth and development in a child? ›
Several factors influence a child's growth and development, including genetics, nutrition, environment, healthcare, social and emotional interactions, cognitive stimulation, and educational opportunities. Each plays a crucial role in shaping a child's physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
What are 10 benefits of play in child development? ›
Based on that research here are ten reasons why you should make play a part of your everyday life.
- Play Strengthens You.
- Play Makes You Smarter.
- Play Helps You Solve Problems.
- Play Boosts Creativity.
- Play Reduces Stress.
- Play Helps You Make Friends.
- Play Enhances Attractiveness.
- Play Builds Resilience.
Through play children develop skills and understandings including: an increased understanding of words and their use. listening and speaking skills. writing skills through scribbling, painting and drawing.
Why is sensory play important for special needs? ›
According to Disability Grants, sensory play is important because it helps children with disabilities learn to live a fuller and happier life. Most of our learning comes through our ability to use our senses to retain information. Sensory play is not just about having fun. It is about learning in a fun way.
Why is sensory play good for special needs? ›
Engaging children with autism in sensory activities is beneficial in several ways, as it can help with: Stimulating the brain, creating neutral pathways and improving sensory processing systems. Improving social skills such as communication and co-operation. Improving co-ordination, as well as fine/gross motor skills.
How does sensory play help children with additional needs? ›
Appropriate sensory stimulation increases children's concentration and focus, helping them to self-occupy. It can also develop muscle tone and is inclusive because there are no right or wrong ways of playing, appealing to children with different learning styles and abilities.
READ: Freddie’s Spaghetti by Charlotte Doyle This is (an old )book you’ll probably have to borrow from the library. The story line: Freddie’s anxious to dive into his plate of spaghetti. The only problem is, it’s not ready yet! So, Freddie has to find ways to entertain himself with various toys. He gets so engrossed in playing (naturally!) that his Mom has to get his attention to come eat! It’s a simple and short story for bringing up the topic of patience. A trait that can often be in short supply.