In recent years, you may have heard about sensory play, but do you know why it’s important? Sensory play is about engaging all of the senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell, and has many benefits for all ages! Children typically engage in sensory play all on their own, starting as early as infancy. Feeling different textures, tasting new foods and smelling new smells are all things that start at a young age but there are many benefits to making purposeful sensory opportunities for children.
Studies have shown that sensory play can help improve motor skills, enhance language skills, create calming opportunities, and increase social interaction for children. Many early childhood theorists have studied the benefits of sensory play including Jean Piaget, who marked the first stage of child development as sensori-motor and believed that a child’s interaction with their environment creates learning.
You can create sensory experiences just by going for a walk outside or you can make your own sensory kit/corner at home! Some things you can include are:
- Sensory Bottle: You can make this yourself using glue, glitter, confetti, etc. or you can purchase one! This creates an engaging visual sensory experience and can provide relaxation.
- Play-Doh: Purchase or make salt dough yourself. Creating with playdough can ease tension, release excess energy, and improve focus by keeping hands busy and allowing for creativity.
- Writing Tablet: You can purchase a writing tablet or just include paper and writing utensils. Writing focuses many senses while providing creative outlet and quiet time.
- Stretchy Strings: These provide a unique tactile experience with different textures to satisfy senses and provide calm.
- Weighted Lap Pad: Purchase or make your own with beans and a cloth bag. This can help self-regulate, soothe and help with focus.
- Breathing Cards: There are free online resources with calm-down techniques that can be downloaded and printed.
There are many reputable online resources to help you create different sensory activities at home or even as part of a club or organization. Sensory activities can be made inexpensively and are beneficial for all ages of children to help them learn and grow!
Written By: Erin Ruggiero, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Medina County, ruggiero.46@osu.edu
Reviewed by: Shannon Carter, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension Fairfield County, carter.413@osu.edu
References:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-sensory-play-ideas
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/240641/salt-dough/
https://extension.sdstate.edu/importance-sensory-play-kids