Understanding Sensory Play
Sensory play is any type of play where children engage at least one of their senses while playing. Typically, sensory play involves activities that engage one of the five primary senses – touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. However, there are two additional senses crucial to how we experience and move through the world: the vestibular and proprioceptive senses.
The vestibular system allows us to orient ourselves in relation to gravity and maintain balance. Located in the inner ear, it is vital for movement, coordination, and equilibrium. Proprioception, on the other hand, is our ability to sense and be aware of the orientation of our bodies in our surroundings. This sense is closely linked to movement control, helping a child sit upright and control the pressure and placement of a pencil on paper when writing and drawing.
Why Is Sensory Play Important?
The benefits of sensory play are numerous. Sensory play is crucial for children’s cognitive and physical development as it helps with sensory processing and integration—the ability to receive, interpret, and manage the information our bodies take in through our senses. Engaging in different types of sensory play supports children's growing bodies and brains, helping them learn about themselves and their world.
Types of Sensory Play
Tactile Play : Involves touching and feeling toys, objects, and materials. Examples include playing with modelling dough, sand, or sensory bins.
Auditory Sensory Play : Involves engagement through sound. Activities include playing a toy xylophone, shaking sound sensory tubes, or listening to music.
Visual Sensory Play : Involves using sight to engage. Activities can include watching the calming motion in a sensory bottle or identifying shapes, colours, and patterns with light-up toys.
Olfactory Sensory Play : Involves the sense of smell. An example is rubbing lavender leaves to release their aroma during outdoor play.
Taste Sensory Play : Involves using the sense of taste. Activities include cooking and baking, allowing children to explore different flavours and textures.
Vestibular Play : Involves activities that help develop balance and spatial orientation. Examples include swinging, jumping, and using a roundabout at the park.
Proprioception Play : Involves activities that develop body awareness and movement control. Examples include jumping on a trampoline, dancing, yoga, or playing football.
Conclusion
Children have a deep drive to play—it’s how they learn about themselves and the world around them. Sensory play is a natural and vital part of this learning process, offering multiple benefits for cognitive and physical development. By engaging in various forms of sensory play, children can develop their senses, improve their sensory processing and integration, and gain a deeper understanding of their environment. Encouraging sensory play through different activities helps support children’s overall growth and well-being.