The Magic of Sensory Play

If you search for "sensory play" on your favourite social media platform, you may get the impression that it's all about making a mess with goopy concoctions and coloured rice. While those are in fact great examples of sensory play activities, there is so much more to this concept and the benefits go far beyond simply keeping kids entertained.

The Senses

Babies and children learn by gathering and processing the information their brains receive from sensory experiences. Those senses include the familiar five - hearing (auditory), sight (visual), smell (olfactory), touch (tactile), and taste (gustatory) - as well as the vestibular sense, which is to do with movement and balance; and the proprioceptive sense, which helps us judge our body's position in space.

How We Play

Sensory Play then, is any form of playful activity that provides opportunities to explore with the senses. Tactile play may include manipulating objects with the hands or feeling different materials and textures. Auditory play could be exploring a musical instrument. Visually stimulating activities, like watching colourful streamers dance in the breeze could be considered sensory play. Olfactory and gustatory senses can be engaged with scented playdough or taste-safe messy play respectively. Any kind of physical, gross motor activity will promote the vestibular sense, while pushing, pulling and stretching activities activate proprioception.

Thinking Outside the Play Tray

The ubiquitous play tray - filled with a sensory base and themed accessories, carefully staged for social media - makes for a lovely invitation to play. But there are so many more ways to facilitate sensory play! Nature walks, playgrounds, the bath or shower, cooking and gardening activities are just a few examples that don't require any special resources. These can also be a fun way to bond and engage with your child. Take a moment to ask your child what they can see, hear, feel and smell during everyday activities.

Keeping It Simple

A lot of us fall into the trap of thinking that we need to constantly come up with new and overly complicated play ideas. But the fact is, kids LOVE repetition - it's how they consolidate what they're learning. They are also far more likely to stay engaged with an activity if it centres on one of their current interests. It is fine to repeat activities that you know your child enjoys, while incorporating new elements here and there. It is also fine to only use what you have, without spending any money. There are endless household and pantry items that can be used for sensory play: tupperware, pots & pans, utensils, cushions for climbing, flour, rice, water, food colouring, dish soap for bubbles, essential oils, herbs and spices, home-made shakers, shaving cream, fabric, pebbles, dirt, mirrors and so on.

The Benefits

Sensory exploration creates new neural pathways in the brain and strengthens existing ones. Sensory play can therefore enhance cognitive skills such as memory and problem solving; language skills, particularly when interacting with others and/or describing the experience; fine and gross motor skills; creativity and self-expression; and can be a wonderful opportunity to work on social and emotional skills. Many children also find certain types of sensory play to be soothing and this can help to regulate emotions. Children who struggle with sensory integration or overwhelm can benefit from gradual exposure to stimulus on their terms.

A Hot Take On Sensory Play

I wonder how many of you reading this far have the same question I do about what is being called "sensory play" - ie. if it is, by definition, any form of play that involves use of the senses, then isn't ALL play sensory play? I would argue that yes, it is. So what is it about this broad range of activities that is actually so special? Could it be that the benefits parents and educators are seeing from what they call "sensory play" are in fact the benefits of unstructured, open-ended, child-led play? In my humble opinion, this is where the true magic lies.

Freedom Means Fun

Regardless of the materials or resources they are provided with, allowing children to have autonomy and freedom in how they play significantly enhances learning. Children are more inclined to stay engaged for longer periods and immerse themselves more fully and mindfully in an experience that is self-directed. Creativity is welcomed in open-ended play, as is self-expression. It allows for inclusion and accommodates children of all neurotypes. Empowering children with a sense of control also builds confidence and provides a safe space to explore and process feelings.

The Takeaway

While the term "sensory play" might conjure up images of Pinterest-perfect trays, it's ultimately about embracing the power of open-ended play while engaging the senses. This can be as simple as a trip to the park or a messy exploration in the kitchen. By providing opportunities for child-led exploration, we nurture their inherent curiosity, creativity, and overall development.