There are many benefits of sensory play, especially for young children. Babies learn about the world around them using their senses- touching faces and objects, smelling and tasting new foods, listening, and observing the sounds and images around them. As children get older, opportunities to develop their senses expand. Sensory play helps develop curiosity, fine motor skills, cognitive development, and critical thinking skills.
Many parents and caregivers believe in a common misconception—sensory play is messy. While it can be, not all sensory play means dragging sand all over your living room or giving a child unlimited access to shaving cream. Free play is encouraged in childhood, and adults can set up developmentally appropriate sensory activities in and out of the house, giving their children opportunities to play and learn.
Here are ideas for sensory activities to try this spring and summer:
Ice Cube Toys: Find small toys and objects—little cards, small plastic animals, coins (watch out for chocking hazards), and freeze them in ice cube trays. You can use standard sized ones or the large ice cubes trays for bigger objects. Provide children with medicine droppers and small spoons and have them “free” the toys using warm water. This is an activity that is easy to clean up indoors and refreshing outside on a hot summer day.
Nature Walk: Go outside—your backyard, a park, or just walk around your neighborhood. Bring a shopping bag for your children and encourage them to find five different types of leaves, rocks, sticks, plants, etc. With older children, you can bring the objects home and help them learn the names and types of leaves and plants.
Outdoor Sensory Bin: Many adults worry that a sensory bin will create a big mess. Bring it outside! Fill a bin with dry rice, dried beans, oatmeal, kinetic sand, cotton balls, felt—anything that has a variety of textures. You can add a few small toys such as cars or figures and see what your child comes up with. Provide a few spoons or shovels, but also encourage children to use their hands.
Bath Time Painting: Rainy and other bad weather days can be hard. Entertaining and caring for a child all day often feels daunting and relying on screens is all too easy. Bringing bath-safe paints and crayons into the bathtub can provide so much fun and cleaning up is easy! You can also include extras such as soap and shaving cream.
Washing Dishes: Teaching kids responsibility starts at a young age. Children love to be big helpers and participate in adult activities, even ones that seem boring to us. Show them how to wash their own dishes. They’ll love the water and soap and will gain confidence because they feel included.
Remember, messes are not forever. Include your children in the clean up process!
All Blogs are written by Professionals in the fields of Nutrition, Human Development and Diabetes.