Have you ever caught a whiff of a certain smell or walked down a particular street when a memory washed over you? Have you ever retreated to a bath or a dark room when feeling overwhelmed? Do you avoid certain foods because of their texture? Are you a person who loves silence, or do you like to have the TV and the radio on at the same time? These reactions are part of our sensory processing systems, which help us receive and process information from our environment. We all have unique sensory processing systems that help us function in the world and support us in regulating ourselves, which is why sensory play is incredibly important for children.
Sensory play is any play that requires your child to use one or more of their five senses, and it fosters learning and skill development. The sensory system allows children to better understand what is required of them and regulate them to meet their environment. Sensory play could be playing with molding dough, dancing to music, splashing in water or cooking. Multi-sensory experiences, such as using scented molding dough or painting while listening to music create even more connections in the brain. As children engage in sensory play, here is some of what they’re developing:
- Fine motor skills: Tactile sensory materials support the strengthening of hand muscles so that children become more capable and confident workers.
- Cognitive skills: Receiving input through multiple senses allows the brain to make meaningful and integrated connections. When a child has a visual stimulus at the same time as a tactile stimulus, it contributes to deeper learning and memory retention.
- Language skills: Sensory experiences and materials expand a child’s learning environment and offers opportunities for rich language and vocabulary development.
- Creative arts skills: Children are intuitive learners and gain inspiration from sensory stimuli in the environment. Whether engaging with tactile, auditory or visual experiences, multisensory experiences inspire children to engage creatively and contribute to more expansive ways of thinking.
- Gross motor skills: Big body movement allows children to develop their vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (movement) system. Opportunities to dance, run, climb, swing and spin, allow children to learn important regulatory skills.
Sensory Experiences at Home
It doesn’t take much planning to invite sensory play at home. In fact, you may notice that after sensory playtime your child is more regulated!
- Water Play: Not only is water soothing, but it makes for a great sensory experience. Don’t underestimate the value of a long, play filled bathtime. Make it a multisensory experience by including classical music or bath crayons. Dim the lights and introduce glow sticks or blow bubbles! Once it’s time to get clean, use difference pressure when scrubbing to provide proprioceptive input. You could also do this while drying them off and applying lotion.
- Cooking: Cooking stimulates all the senses. It can be something as simple as peeling a banana and talking about what you see, smell, taste, touch and hear in the process. Compare the whole banana and the peeled banana — how is the feeling and smell different?
- Molding dough: Children sink deeply into the work of kneading, poking, rolling and pounding when it comes to playdough. If you make your own, you can add scented oils for an added multisensory experience.
- Sensory bins: Create unique sensory experiences in a contained space! Fill large plastic bins with uncooked oats, rice or cereal and add measuring cups so little ones can practice scooping and pouring. You could also do this with water, just make sure you’ve got towels nearby!
- Salt tray: Add table salt to a freezer bag with a few drops of food coloring. Mix it up and then lay it out on a sheet pan to dry. Once dried, add the salt to a shallow tray and your child can practice writing and drawing in the sand.
There will be some children who struggle with sensory play. If your child is autistic or has sensory processing disorder, they may be averse to getting messy, loud noises or certain types of clothing. They could also seek out bright lights, need constant movement or touch everything in sight. If you notice your child over- or underreacting to stimuli, talk with your pediatrician. They may recommend occupational therapy to help understand your child’s sensory diet, which will teach you what they need to regulate themselves.
