The Importance of Sensory Play for Preschoolers

"When we deny young children play, we are denying them the right to understand the world." ~Erika Christakis

I am 3 ½, I have on my new floral overalls and I have pigtails in my hair. It is the spring of 1981. I am barefoot and playing in my sandbox, legs stretched out in front of me. I'm contently watching a ladybug crawl around in the palm of my hand. I can remember feeling the sunshine on my face and the way the sand felt between my tiny toes. I remember the smell of fresh cut grass. I remember how that little ladybug tickled my hand and the sound of my giggle as I looked up at my mother to show her my new friend. This is one of my first memories of childhood.

I am sharing this intimate memory of my youth because it is a memory that never fades. All of my senses were so engaged in that memory, that every time I smell fresh cut grass, I go back to being 3 ½ in my little sandbox playing with my mother. This was a common afternoon scene. Just the two of us playing outside: exploring, being curious, feeling, smelling, seeing and listening to the world around us. This is an example of Sensory Play.

Sensory Play is defined as any activity that stimulates the young child's senses: touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing. Sensory Activities are defined as activities that facilitate exploration and naturally encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore. Sensory play is part of the scientific process. Whether out loud or within the internal dialogue of the mind, children develop questions, leading them to investigations– by smelling, listening, feeling, tasting and observing. They are using their senses to collect data and from that they attempt to answer their own questions. By giving children the opportunity to investigate materials without preconceived knowledge, we help them to develop and refine their cognitive, social/emotional, physical, imaginative and language skills.

When teachers think of sensory play, a sensory table is usually the first thing that comes to mind. The sensory table certainly stands as an open invitation for hands-on exploration. It can be filled with rice, beans, water, sand, soil, foam, snow, etc. At the sensory table, we can find many of the benefits of sensory play. That table full of sand, foam or beans is more than just another way to keep children busy; it is a bustling factory of developmental growth. In addition to developing sensory and science skills, sensory play builds language, social and dramatic play skills as the children negotiate with one another to share tools, create stories and build language. Both small and large motor skills are used as the children manipulate the materials of the day. Creative thinking is displayed as the children are invited to explore and come up with new ways to use the materials. Cognitive skills are fostered as the children learn about specific concepts pertinent to the table's contents. As we teach appropriate boundaries with sensory play, children develop more self-control and body awareness.

While the sensory table is a great tool for sensory activities, we also have to consider the outdoors. Preschool children desperately need to have whole-body sensory experiences on a daily basis in order to develop strong bodies and minds. This is best done outside where the senses are fully ignited and young bodies are challenged by the uneven outdoor surfaces. The preschool years are not only optimal for children to learn through play, but also an important developmental period. Children who are not given enough natural movement and play experiences can start their academic careers at a disadvantage. They are more likely to be clumsy, have trouble paying attention, have difficulty controlling their emotions, develop poor problem-solving skills or have issues with social interactions. Educators are now seeing sensory, motor and cognitive issues more and more in later childhood, partly because children have inadequate opportunities to move and play at an early age.

Outdoor sensory activities can be as simple as taking a nature walk across the school campus while exploring different terrains, or as complex as an outdoor obstacle course. Giving Preschool children several outdoor periods throughout their day gives them the opportunity to move their bodies and dive into imaginary play with their peers. Some of the most important skills, such as learning how to create, problem solve, share, be empathetic, show bravery and more, are learned through rich sensory play outdoors. Both sensory and motor skills are strengthened through outdoor play and all of this builds the foundation for a confident and balanced child.

Sensory Play is one of the richest open-ended activities that provide an opportunity for every child to succeed. Children who struggle to succeed or who are apprehensive about failure often find solace in sensory play. The simple act of pouring water or running fingers through sand is often calming to children who may be struggling emotionally. It can soothe a nervous child, distract an upset child or serve as an outlet for an angry child. Having the opportunity to run and move their body without restriction in the outdoors is a way to bring balance and calm back to the unfocused, high-energy child. Sensory play does not discriminate and it allows children to play at their own pace while also challenging them to do more.

As adults, both teachers and parents, we must provide our Preschoolers or students with the time and space for sensory play. We must provide many open-ended tools and materials that encourage healthy risk-taking and challenges for their minds and bodies. We must recognize the young child's natural gravitation toward playing and exploring and support that need by offering the gift of play.