Benefits of Sensory Play & Exploration

From birth to early childhood, children use their five senses to explore and try to make sense of the world around them.

Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates a young child's senses of touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing, as well as anything which engages movement and balance.

Sensory play is only really limited by your own imagination, with of course some common sense being used around the materials and types of play appropriate for your child’s age and ability.

Other reasons sensory play is beneficial for children include:

• It helps to build nerve connections in the brain

• It encourages the development of motor skills

• It supports language development

• It encourages ‘scientific thinking’ and problem solving

• It can involve mindful activities which are beneficial for all children

What are some fun sensory ideas you implement at home and outdoors with your littles?