Squish, squelch, spin, splash, squeeze, scoop, shake, drop, smear, toss, spray, and ooze – young children find immense joy in discovering their world through their senses. Sensory play is not just about fun; it's a crucial part of early childhood education. It challenges our children and encourages them to use their senses to investigate and interact with their environment in new and creative ways. This helps them make sense of the world around them and fosters their overall development. What is Sensory Play? Sensory play is any activity that stimulates the senses, which include touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. It also covers movement, balance, and spatial awareness. Sensory play can involve various materials such as sand, water, playdough, leaves, shells, and sensory bins filled with shredded paper, birdseed, fabric scraps, ice, and much more! It is limited only by your imagination, provided you use common sense to ensure the materials and activities suit your children's age and ability. Benefits of Sensory Play With sensory play, there’s always more happening than meets the eye, and there are numerous benefits for babies, toddlers, and children who engage in this type of play. 01. Cognitive Development: Sensory play helps children learn about cause and effect, improves problem-solving skills, and enhances memory. 02. Fine and Gross Motor Skills: Manipulating objects and materials in sensory play can develop fine motor skills (such as hand-eye coordination) and gross motor skills (such as balance and coordination). 03. Language Development: Sensory activities encourage children to describe their experiences, expanding their vocabulary and communication skills. 04. Social Interaction: Sensory play often involves group activities, which help children learn to share, take turns, and develop social skills. 05. Emotional Regulation: Sensory play can be calming and help children manage their emotions, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. 06. Promotes Independence: Sensory play activities foster independence and selfdirection, allowing children to explore materials and activities at their own pace and in their own way. Tips for Implementing Sensory Play ● Provide a wide range of materials for children to explore. ● Offer open-ended activities. Encourage children to use their imaginations and explore materials in their own way. ● Incorporate sensory play into other activities and learning experiences, such as science experiments, art activities, and dramatic play. ● Encourage children to reflect on their sensory play experiences by discussing what they learned. Sensory Play Activities One of the easiest ways to engage children's senses is through outdoor play, where they can experience a variety of colours, movements, textures, sounds, and smells in nature. Sensory play in ECE By Alana Steyn - Mud Mates July 2024 { 40 }
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