Sensory play is an important part of childhood development. It allows children to explore, experiment, and learn about their surroundings in a fun and interactive way. However, for children with sensory sensitivities, sensory play can be overwhelming and challenging.
This article will provide some sensory play ideas that are specifically designed for children with sensory sensitivities.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Sensory play can benefit children with sensory sensitivities. |
| Sensory toys can provide a safe and non-threatening environment for children to explore and process sensory information. |
| Sensory play can promote cognitive, physical, and emotional development. |
| Sensory-friendly activities can be easily incorporated into daily routines. |
| Parents can create a sensory-friendly environment at home to support their child’s sensory needs. |
Understanding Sensory Sensitivities in Children
Sensory sensitivities are a common issue for children with autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other developmental disabilities. Children with sensory sensitivities may experience hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to certain sensory stimuli such as touch, sound, taste, sight, and smell. This can make it difficult for them to engage in sensory play activities that are designed for typically developing children.
Choosing the right sensory toys for your child with sensitivities can be overwhelming, but it’s important to find ones that cater to their specific needs. Our guide on how to choose the right sensory toys for your child offers helpful tips and information to make the process easier.
Recommended Sensory Toys for Children with Sensory Sensitivities
| Toy | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Squishy toys | Soft, textured toys that can be squeezed and manipulated. | Promote relaxation, improve grip strength and fine motor skills. |
| Sensory balls | Textured balls that can be bounced, squeezed, and rolled. | Improve hand-eye coordination, promote relaxation, and enhance tactile exploration. |
| Fidget toys | Small toys that can be manipulated and moved, such as fidget spinners or cubes. | Provide an outlet for nervous energy, promote focus, and improve fine motor skills. |
Benefits of Sensory Play for Children with Sensory Sensitivities
Despite the challenges, sensory play can be incredibly beneficial for children with sensory sensitivities. Sensory play can help children develop their senses, improve their motor skills, and regulate their emotions. It can also be a fun and enjoyable way to spend time with others.
Creating a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Before engaging in sensory play activities, it is important to create a sensory-friendly environment. This may involve reducing background noise, using dimmer lighting, or using calming scents such as lavender. It may also involve using sensory tools such as weighted blankets or fidget toys to help children regulate their senses.
Sensory Play Ideas for Children with Sensory Sensitivities
Here are some sensory play ideas that are specifically designed for children with sensory sensitivities:
Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are a great way to engage children in tactile play. They can be filled with materials such as rice, beans, or sand, and can include small toys or objects for children to explore and manipulate. To make sensory bins more sensory-friendly, consider using materials that are less abrasive or overwhelming such as foam balls or shredded paper.
As a parent of a child with special needs, finding toys that promote their development can be challenging. Our guide on sensory toys for special needs children provides an overview of the different types of sensory toys and how they can benefit your child’s development.
Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles are a great way to provide visual stimulation without overwhelming children with too much sensory input. They can be made by filling a clear plastic bottle with water, glitter, and small objects such as beads or buttons. Children can shake the bottle to create movement and watch as the objects move around.
Sensory Bags
Sensory bags are similar to sensory bottles but provide a different tactile experience. They can be made by filling a plastic zip-lock bag with materials such as hair gel, water beads, or even cooked spaghetti. Children can squish and manipulate the bag to explore the different textures.
Playdough and Clay
Playdough and clay are great materials for sensory play as they can be molded and shaped into different forms. For children with sensory sensitivities, consider using softer or less-sticky dough or clay to avoid sensory overload.
Sensory play offers a range of benefits for children’s mental health, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving mood and behavior. Check out our guide on the benefits of sensory play for children’s mental health to learn more about how sensory toys can positively impact your child’s well-being.
Water Play
Water play is a classic sensory play activity that can be adapted for children with sensory sensitivities. Consider using warm water or adding calming scents such as lavender to the water to create a more soothing sensory experience.
Sand Play
Sand play is another classic sensory play activity that can be adapted for children with sensory sensitivities. Consider using a smaller sandbox or using softer, less-gritty sand to avoid sensory overload.
Balloon Play
Balloons can provide a fun and tactile sensory experience for children with sensory sensitivities. Children can play catch or toss balloons back and forth, or even use them to play games such as balloon volleyball.
Sensory processing disorder can make everyday activities difficult for children, but sensory toys can provide relief and improve their quality of life. Learn more about how sensory toys can help children with sensory processing disorder in our informative guide.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap can provide a satisfying sensory experience for children who enjoy tactile stimulation. Children can pop the bubbles or even walk on the bubble wrap to create different textures and sounds.
Painting with Different Materials
Painting can be a great way to engage children in sensory play. Consider using different materials such as foam brushes or sponges to create different textures and sensory experiences.
Sensory Walks
Sensory walks can be a fun and engaging way to explore different sensory experiences. Children can walk barefoot on different surfaces such as grass, sand, or pavement to explore different textures.
Sensory Scavenger Hunt
Sensory scavenger hunts can be a fun way to engage children in sensory play while also promoting cognitive skills such as problem-solving and categorization. Create a list of sensory items for children to find and explore such as something rough, something soft, or something smelly.
Texture Exploration
Texture exploration can involve providing children with different materials such as fabrics, foams, or even food items to explore and manipulate.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can provide a fun and interactive way to engage children in sensory play. Consider using instruments that provide different tactile experiences such as drums or shakers.
Sensory Play with Food
Sensory play with food can be a great way to engage children in sensory exploration while also promoting healthy eating habits. Consider using different foods such as fruits, vegetables, or even different types of pasta to explore different textures and tastes.
Sensory-Friendly Games
Sensory-friendly games such as hide-and-seek, tag, or Simon Says can be a fun way to engage children in sensory play while also promoting social skills and cognitive development.
Self-regulation and emotional development are important for children’s overall well-being, and sensory toys can play a big role in promoting these skills. Discover the impact of sensory toys on self-regulation and emotional development in our comprehensive guide.
Benefits of Sensory Play for Children with Sensory Sensitivities
| Benefits of Sensory Play |
|---|
| Improves sensory processing abilities |
| Reduces stress and anxiety |
| Improves mood and behavior |
| Enhances cognitive and physical development |
| Provides a safe and non-threatening environment to explore and process sensory information |
Conclusion
Sensory play can be a fun and engaging way for children to explore and understand their senses. For children with sensory sensitivities, sensory play can be challenging, but with the right sensory-friendly activities and environment, it can still be a beneficial experience.
By using the sensory play ideas provided in this article, parents, caregivers, and educators can help children with sensory sensitivities develop their senses, improve their motor skills, and regulate their emotions in a fun and interactive way.
Further Reading
For more information on sensory play and sensory processing, check out the following resources:
Sensory Integration Exercises to Reduce Sensory Sensitivity: This blog post offers a variety of sensory integration exercises to help reduce sensory sensitivity in children.
41 Awesome Messy Play Ideas for Children with Sensory Processing Difficulties: This resource provides 41 creative ideas for messy play that can benefit children with sensory processing difficulties.
8 Sensory-Friendly Indoor Games and Activities: This article offers a list of sensory-friendly indoor games and activities that can be enjoyed by children with sensory sensitivities.
FAQs
What is sensory play?
Sensory play is a type of play that engages a child’s senses, such as touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound. It is often used to promote sensory processing, cognitive, and physical development.
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys that are designed to stimulate a child’s senses and promote sensory processing, cognitive, and physical development. Examples of sensory toys include fidget spinners, squishy toys, and textured balls.
How can sensory play benefit children with sensory sensitivities?
Sensory play can provide children with sensory sensitivities a safe and non-threatening environment to explore and process sensory information. It can also help improve their sensory processing abilities and overall well-being.
What are some examples of sensory play activities?
Some examples of sensory play activities include playing with sensory bins filled with rice or sand, finger painting, playing with water beads, and engaging in messy play with shaving cream or slime.
How can parents create a sensory-friendly environment at home?
Parents can create a sensory-friendly environment at home by providing their child with sensory toys, creating a sensory-friendly play area, and engaging in sensory play activities regularly. They can also seek guidance from professionals, such as occupational therapists or sensory integration specialists.
Meet Hellen James, the multi-talented writer and nurturing mother who takes young readers on a thrilling journey through her sensory-infused blog. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a parent.
