Let's Talk about Sensory Play and What You Can Do With Them!

Sensory play is a type of play that stimulates one or more of the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. It may also involve exploring a texture or material as it alternates between rough and soft. Sensory play makes kids feel safe and secure in the environment they occupy while also boosting their creativity!

What is Sensory Play?

Sensory play is defined as any activity that stimulates a child's senses. The most common senses targeted are sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. However, vestibular (movement) and proprioceptive (body awareness) sensory input are also crucial for development and can be incorporated into sensory activities.

Sensory activities are often used with children who have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or other special needs. However, all children can benefit from engaging in sensory play!

There are many benefits of sensory play, including:

- promoting fine motor skills development

- increasing concentration and attention span

- promoting language development

- encouraging imaginative play

- providing a calming or organizing effect

●     promotes cooperation and turn-taking, and encourages children to express their emotions.

Tips for using sensory play in a classroom or childcare setting

When it comes to sensory play, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when incorporating it into a classroom or childcare setting. Here are a few tips:

1. Make sure the environment is safe: This is especially important if you are working with younger children. Make sure there are no sharp objects or anything that could potentially be harmful.

2. Start with simple activities: Don't try to do too much at first. Stick to simple activities that will allow the children to get used to the idea of using their senses.

3. Be flexible: Not every child will respond in the same way to sensory play. Some may love it, and others may not be so keen. Be prepared to be flexible and adjust the activities according to each child's needs.

4. Keep it short: Sensory play can be quite overwhelming for some children, so it's essential to keep the activities short and sweet. 5-10 minutes is usually plenty of time for most kids.

5. Supervise at all times: As with any activity, make sure you supervise the children at all times while they are engaged in sensory play.

Conclusion

When it comes to Sensory Play Panels, there is no wrong way to do it. It's important to remember that it's not about forcing kids to do something they don't want to. If your child is not interested in doing the same activity more than once, then you can always change the settings. For example, you can try folding a paper towel instead of a tissue and then changing it up with a piece of paper. The best way to make it successful is to keep it simple and non-competitive. Don't worry about how exactly you are doing it or what other parents are doing around you. Just focus on making your child feel comfortable while playing.