Sensory play is a type of activity that stimulates a child’s senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. It involves hands-on, interactive experiences that engage children in exploring and manipulating materials. These activities, which include playing with water, sand, and dough or putting together sensory bins, have often been touted for their ability to keep kids busy when they need to get things done. However, they also have incredible benefits for your children.
To help us understand these benefits, we brought in expert Holly Gortiz, MSW, who has spent her career working with preschool and school-aged children, to help explain how these activities play an essential role in supporting cognitive, motor, social, and emotional development.
Cognitive Development
The first benefit of sensory play is its ability to stimulate neural pathways in the brain, which supports cognitive growth, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. For example, when children engage in activities like sorting beads by color or size, they enhance their ability to categorize and understand patterns.
Goritz says, "Activities that involve different senses help children understand cause and effect and develop spatial awareness." These become essential skills later in life and help children succeed in school.
Fine & Gross Motor Skill Practice
Playing with sand, water, or dough enhances fine motor skills by requiring precise hand movements. For instance, molding playdough helps children develop hand strength and dexterity, while larger movements, such as jumping or rolling, improve gross motor skills.
"Children develop hand-eye coordination and muscle strength through sensory play, which is essential for daily tasks like writing and dressing," Goritz explains. It is a fun way to help them hone these skills without the stress of just practicing holding a pencil all day.
Improved Language Development
Another way children benefit from sensory play is through improved language development.
However, this might need to be facilitated by an adult. For example, when children are exposed to new textures, smells, and sounds, encourage them to describe their experiences. This process helps expand their vocabulary and communication skills.
"When children talk about what they are feeling or seeing, it enhances their language development," Goritz notes. Having them describe the texture of slime or other substances or even just explain the sound of crinkling paper will work to enhance their descriptive language skills.
Social Interaction Practice
Sensory play often involves group activities, promoting social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and turn-taking. It is perfect for any child, but especially for those who need a little help with their social skills.
For instance, a sensory bin activity where children hunt for hidden objects or have to share tools encourages them to work together and communicate. "Playing together in sensory activities teaches children to communicate and work together, which are crucial social skills," Goritz highlights.
Emotional Regulation Skill Learning
Learning to regulate emotions is hard; luckily, engaging in sensory activities can help children manage their feelings by providing a calming effect and reducing anxiety or frustration. "Sensory play can be very soothing for children, helping them regulate their emotions and cope with stress," says Goritz.
Something as simple as filling up Tupperware with water and providing some kitchen utensils will help your child be in control of something and reset their sensory overload during a hard day.
Supports Creativity & Imagination
Sensory play encourages creativity and imaginative play as children explore different materials and create new scenarios. For instance, using kinetic sand to build structures or creating stories with miniature figures in a sensory bin stimulates imaginative thinking.
Goritz notes, "Open-ended sensory activities allow children to use their imagination, leading to creative thinking and problem-solving.”
Improved Problem-Solving Skills
Sensory activities often present challenges that require children to experiment and find solutions, enhancing their problem-solving abilities. Gortiz explains, “When building a sandcastle, children learn to adjust the consistency of the sand by adding water to make it stand better, and when children encounter a problem during play that they have to solve, they learn to think critically and solve problems.”
Sensory Integration
For children with sensory processing issues, sensory play helps them learn to respond appropriately to sensory stimuli, improving their ability to process and integrate sensory information.
For instance, playing with textured balls can help children become more comfortable with different textures. "Regular sensory play can help children with sensory processing disorders become more comfortable with different sensory inputs because it exposes them to a no-pressure, stress-free environment," says Goritz.
Enhanced Attention & Focus
Sensory activities help increase a child's attention span and focus by engaging their senses and providing a stimulating yet calming environment. For example, sorting colorful beads or playing with a fidget spinner can help children concentrate better.
"Children often find sensory play captivating. It helps them stay focused and engaged for longer periods, which can eventually integrate into their everyday lives," Goritz explains.
Mindfulness & Relaxation Skill Learning
Certain sensory activities, such as playing with water or listening to soothing sounds, can promote relaxation, benefiting overall mental health. Mindfulness often requires some guidance from the adult involved, such as asking the child to explain how they feel in that moment or talking them through the experience.
"This type of sensory play can create a sense of calm and mindfulness that is beneficial for both children and adults," Goritz notes. Even though we may be hesitant to be involved, utilizing this technique is an excellent way to be engaged without interrupting their open-ended play.
Instilling Independence & Confidence
"Achieving success in sensory activities boosts children's confidence and encourages them to explore new challenges independently," says Goritz. For example, mastering a complex sensory bin task or creating a unique piece of art with playdough can boost a child's confidence and help them be more successful in other areas of life.
Start Helping Your Child Grow Through Sensory Play Today!
Sensory play offers many benefits that support children's development in various areas. Parents and educators help children thrive cognitively, physically, socially, and emotionally by incorporating sensory activities into daily routines. As Holly Goritz, MSW, emphasizes, "Sensory play is not just fun; it's a vital part of a child's growth and learning."
If you want to start your sensory journey and don’t know where to start, check out our curated sensory kits that will provide you with all the tools you need for successful sensory play.