Five Reasons to Explore Sensory Play

Sensory play is a simple but important concept for teaching children about the world.  We all had our first experience tasting a sour lemon, or holding a cold ice cube.  These are examples of sensory play – using the five senses to investigate your surroundings.

Here are five reasons to incorporate sensory play into your child’s day:

1. Sensory play allows children to practice problem-solving skills.
2. Using the senses helps children to build their vocabulary.  Linking an object with how it feels, smells or tastes helps to imprint the word in your child’s memory.
3. Play without an intended outcome is a terrific way to boost your child’s creativity.
4. Manipulating a variety of textures can hone fine motor skills.
5. Your child will love it, and learn something new in the process.

Here are five ideas for easy sensory play activities to try at home:

1. Fill a basket with yarn bits, ribbon and fabric scraps for your child to explore.
2. Non sugary cereal is a fun sensory play material – challenge your child to thread the cereal onto a pipe cleaner and then enjoy the cereal as a healthy snack.
3. Another use for pipe cleaners – kids can poke them through the holes of a colander.
4. A bowl of ice and a scoop can be used to explore temperature, texture and taste.
5. Yogurt is great for finger painting on a plate, and a tasty snack experience, too.

Check out our Early Childhood Education Pinterest board for more ideas.