Sensory play is something I'm really passionate about! It was a big deal in my preschool classroom and I plan on it being a big deal in our home. The more I learn about a child's development, the more I think it is highly important.
Children learn through their senses. They have a whole big world around them that they know nothing about. When a child is playing outside, exploring sticks and rocks, building with blocks, splashing water from the pool, playing in the mud... all their senses are being used. Why is this important? There are classically five senses in a person, but they now categorize eight senses. We all know sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste; but, there are now considered a few more that make up a person. Vestibular/body movements (where a person is in space, balance), proprioception/body awareness (the relationship between body parts- for instance, I know where my feet are and I can manipulate them), and introception (awareness of bodily functions like hunger and breathing). These senses belong to every person. As a child develops and learns about the world around them, everything is filtered through these eight senses. If a sense is out of order or something is wrong, it can affect how that person interprets the world, interacts with others, responds to situations, and so much more. Sensory development is SO important. And it can definitely be helped through play. That is why I am strongly against worksheets in the early years, sitting still, screen time, and the like. A child that is playing in the mud is literally using every sense (maybe not taste... but possibly) compared to a child that is sitting in front of a t.v. zoning out. Giving a child an opportunity to learn through play can be everything.
Why does sensory development matter? Everything a child does in their early years matters. I read a study that stated the experiences of a child in the first three years of life sets them up for the rest of their life. Who they attach to, what they do each day, where they spend their time, the experiences they get, the play they take part in... all of it determines a lot for their future. The way an adult interacts with others, responds to stressful situations, copes with emotions, carries themselves, and more can all be linked to those vital years in the beginning. Sensory development is no different. Neural pathways are rapidly being created in the brain in toddlerhood when the senses are being stimulated. This helps later in life as the child learns, but also way later in life in relation to alzheimers and other neurological issues. Beyond that, so many skills are being learned: problem solving, self-control, sensory input (important for those that have a sensory disorder or underdeveloped sense), retention, language development, emotional and behavioral regulation, and gross and fine motor skills.
A friend of mine made the comment the other day that "our parents or our generation didn't have all this sensory play and hands-on learning and they turned out fine." But that's not true at all. My grandparents and parent's generations DID have sensory play. A lot of it. Playing outside, creating something out of mud, swimming in the pool, catching fireflies, climbing a tree, manipulating blocks, building a fort, playing pretend, playing a board game, chalking on the driveway... all of these activities involve sensory play. And do you know what the biggest hindrance to play in today's world is? SCREENS. And THAT is why sensory play is so important nowadays. Because my parents didn't have screens that they mindlessly sat in front of. There was also not as many toys back then as there are nowadays. I feel like there is a toy overload problem in our society. Minimal toys or quality toys force a child to get creative or make their own pretend. SO many toys can hinder a child's ability for sensory development too. Sensory play in today's world is a big deal because it has to be.
As a side note, this is the exact reason I'm against mindless screens. Screens can be a great tool, but should never, ever replace the play of childhood. It is also the reason I prefer Isla play with what is called "open ended toys", rather than "one and done toys". When a toy does the thinking for the child, or has lights and buttons to push, or has one goal or purpose, then it doesn't allow for imagination and play to take over. Open ended toys are toys that can have multiple purposes or can be anything they want. Examples of one and done toys would be characters (Barbie is always Barbie, Mickey Mouse is always Mickey Mouse), pretend electronics (light up phones and computers), toys that require batteries. Examples of open ended toys would be wooden blocks, a kitchen set, foam shapes, zoo animals. These are toys that grow with the kiddo and can be used in multiple ways.
I think play is misunderstood and underused in today's kiddos. I plan on giving Isla every opportunity I can to learn through play so that her senses develop and builds her into a well-rounded, regulated, smart little cookie. So I'll let her explore with her hands (food, water, mud, whatever), get dirty outside, build structures and forts, smell and taste the world around her, dance with ribbons, feel all the things in the store, and more. This is how she learns.
I'd much rather her play with a pile of mud than touch a button on an ipad. From the outside it looks like a mess I'll have to clean up, but everything going on in her brain is what I care about most. So my child might be dirty for a few years and that's ok :)
And a big shoutout to Isla's Pop Pop for making her a sensory bin. The neatest, cleanest guy I know went out of his comfort zone to make something for his granddaughter that he knows will benefit her for the rest of her life. Thanks Pop Pop. Here are some pictures of us playing with our senses!
Children learn through their senses. They have a whole big world around them that they know nothing about. When a child is playing outside, exploring sticks and rocks, building with blocks, splashing water from the pool, playing in the mud... all their senses are being used. Why is this important? There are classically five senses in a person, but they now categorize eight senses. We all know sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste; but, there are now considered a few more that make up a person. Vestibular/body movements (where a person is in space, balance), proprioception/body awareness (the relationship between body parts- for instance, I know where my feet are and I can manipulate them), and introception (awareness of bodily functions like hunger and breathing). These senses belong to every person. As a child develops and learns about the world around them, everything is filtered through these eight senses. If a sense is out of order or something is wrong, it can affect how that person interprets the world, interacts with others, responds to situations, and so much more. Sensory development is SO important. And it can definitely be helped through play. That is why I am strongly against worksheets in the early years, sitting still, screen time, and the like. A child that is playing in the mud is literally using every sense (maybe not taste... but possibly) compared to a child that is sitting in front of a t.v. zoning out. Giving a child an opportunity to learn through play can be everything.
Why does sensory development matter? Everything a child does in their early years matters. I read a study that stated the experiences of a child in the first three years of life sets them up for the rest of their life. Who they attach to, what they do each day, where they spend their time, the experiences they get, the play they take part in... all of it determines a lot for their future. The way an adult interacts with others, responds to stressful situations, copes with emotions, carries themselves, and more can all be linked to those vital years in the beginning. Sensory development is no different. Neural pathways are rapidly being created in the brain in toddlerhood when the senses are being stimulated. This helps later in life as the child learns, but also way later in life in relation to alzheimers and other neurological issues. Beyond that, so many skills are being learned: problem solving, self-control, sensory input (important for those that have a sensory disorder or underdeveloped sense), retention, language development, emotional and behavioral regulation, and gross and fine motor skills.
A friend of mine made the comment the other day that "our parents or our generation didn't have all this sensory play and hands-on learning and they turned out fine." But that's not true at all. My grandparents and parent's generations DID have sensory play. A lot of it. Playing outside, creating something out of mud, swimming in the pool, catching fireflies, climbing a tree, manipulating blocks, building a fort, playing pretend, playing a board game, chalking on the driveway... all of these activities involve sensory play. And do you know what the biggest hindrance to play in today's world is? SCREENS. And THAT is why sensory play is so important nowadays. Because my parents didn't have screens that they mindlessly sat in front of. There was also not as many toys back then as there are nowadays. I feel like there is a toy overload problem in our society. Minimal toys or quality toys force a child to get creative or make their own pretend. SO many toys can hinder a child's ability for sensory development too. Sensory play in today's world is a big deal because it has to be.
As a side note, this is the exact reason I'm against mindless screens. Screens can be a great tool, but should never, ever replace the play of childhood. It is also the reason I prefer Isla play with what is called "open ended toys", rather than "one and done toys". When a toy does the thinking for the child, or has lights and buttons to push, or has one goal or purpose, then it doesn't allow for imagination and play to take over. Open ended toys are toys that can have multiple purposes or can be anything they want. Examples of one and done toys would be characters (Barbie is always Barbie, Mickey Mouse is always Mickey Mouse), pretend electronics (light up phones and computers), toys that require batteries. Examples of open ended toys would be wooden blocks, a kitchen set, foam shapes, zoo animals. These are toys that grow with the kiddo and can be used in multiple ways.
I think play is misunderstood and underused in today's kiddos. I plan on giving Isla every opportunity I can to learn through play so that her senses develop and builds her into a well-rounded, regulated, smart little cookie. So I'll let her explore with her hands (food, water, mud, whatever), get dirty outside, build structures and forts, smell and taste the world around her, dance with ribbons, feel all the things in the store, and more. This is how she learns.
I'd much rather her play with a pile of mud than touch a button on an ipad. From the outside it looks like a mess I'll have to clean up, but everything going on in her brain is what I care about most. So my child might be dirty for a few years and that's ok :)
And a big shoutout to Isla's Pop Pop for making her a sensory bin. The neatest, cleanest guy I know went out of his comfort zone to make something for his granddaughter that he knows will benefit her for the rest of her life. Thanks Pop Pop. Here are some pictures of us playing with our senses!
I dunked and then froze some pom poms. Isla then spent OVER AN HOUR playing with the frozen poms in the water. Do you know what kind of feat that is for a one year old? AND she kept *most* of the water and poms in the bins. It was amazing. I know many people like screens because it keeps their child entertained or quiet long enough for mama to get something done or take a break. Well this activity gave me that too and she learned while doing it. There is an amazing difference between 2D and 3D learning. She was working on transferring skills, fine motor skills, cause and affect, the idea of gravity, the senses of touch, and so much more. If she watched a show for an hour, she wouldn't have experienced any of that.
We have played with playdoh a few times now and she's getting very good about keeping it on the tray and out of her mouth. Just because it's sensory play doesn't mean it has to be unstructured.
We used tutu's to touch and dance with while we read and listened to the Nutcracker.
Did you know studies have found that when a child interacts with their food in a hands-on way, they are less likely to be picky eaters and more likely to be open to trying and experimenting with new foods? I'm not sure how true that is, but I love the idea of letting her explore her food. Sure it's messy, but she's also teaching herself different textures, the tastes of something that feels hot or cold, and self-feeding skills too!
Sometimes sitting in the bin is more fun!
Pop Pop did a great job making something so special for Isla!
And if you don't have a designated sensory bin and want to try this at home, a deep pan works just as well!
And looking through these pictures I just love looking at her little hands. Those hands were created by God to explore the whole big wide world. I love giving her those opportunities to do so and watching her stubby little fingers learn!
This makes my heart so happy for you! Knowing a little bit of your story and seeing God's faithfulness come to fruition in this precious little babe brings me to tears.
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