Sensory toys are a great way to enhance the development of children and adults alike. They offer sensory stimulation, which helps to improve focus and concentration, improve communication skills, enhance social interaction and encourage pretend play.
There is also evidence to suggest that sensory toys can help provide relief for people with autism or ADHD.
I’ve put together this guide on how you can use sensory toys in your daily routine to help your child develop in many different ways.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Sensory play is essential for children’s development. |
| Sensory toys can be a valuable tool for parents looking to support their child’s development. |
| There are many different types of sensory toys available, each with its own unique benefits. |
| Sensory toys can be particularly beneficial for children with special needs, including those with sensory processing disorder or autism. |
| When choosing sensory toys for your child, consider their age, developmental stage, and individual needs. |
Support Child Development Through Sensory Play
Sensory toys, especially when used in association with one another, have the ability to help develop social skills, language development, gross motor skills and fine motor skills.
For example:
The tactile and proprioceptive nature of sand play allows children to develop their tactile sensitivity while also learning about size relationships and patterns.
Giving a child a ball provides them with an opportunity for throwing and catching which helps develop gross motor skills like coordination and hand-eye coordination.
The bright colors on an easel can be used by young children as they learn about color recognition or as older children use art materials to create masterpieces that incorporate shape recognition into their work (or just fun!).
Sensory play is an important aspect of a toddler’s development. By engaging in activities that stimulate their senses, children can learn and develop important skills. Check out our article on the benefits of sensory play for toddlers to discover how you can help your child grow and learn through play.
Sensory Toys Provide Different Types of Play
Play is important for children. It helps them develop socially, cognitively and physically. Sensory toys can help with social and cognitive development by allowing the child to interact with others in a fun manner.
It encourages language development by encouraging conversation between the child and adults or other children.
They also help with fine and gross motor skills which are very important in today’s world where everything moves fast.
DIY Sensory Toy Ideas
| Type of Toy | Materials Needed | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Sensory Bottles | Plastic bottles, glitter, water, glue | Fill the bottles with water, glitter, and other sensory materials, and secure the lids with glue. |
| Sensory Bags | Ziploc bags, hair gel, food coloring | Fill the bags with hair gel and food coloring, and add sensory materials such as beads or small toys. |
| Sensory Play Dough | Flour, salt, cream of tartar, food coloring | Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl, add water and food coloring, and knead until the dough reaches the desired consistency. |
Sensory Play Improves Social Communication Skills
Sensory play can also help children learn to communicate with others. By interacting with each other and the toys, children develop social skills.
Sensory play helps children learn to share, take turns, and how to share their feelings with others. If you have a child who doesn’t seem to want to play with other kids or has a hard time communicating their feelings or needs, sensory toys may be just what they need!
The Benefits of Tactile Sensory Play
Tactile sensory play is an excellent way to improve your child’s sensory processing, coordination, motor skills, language development and self-regulation. It also enhances their social skills because it helps them become more aware of others’ feelings and how they can relate to them.
In addition to all the benefits listed above, tactile sensory play teaches children how to trust their own bodies since they’re able to explore different sensations with their hands and fingers. This helps boost confidence levels in kids who may have felt uncertain about themselves before engaging in tactile play activities.
Sensory toys can be an essential tool for parents looking to support their toddler’s development. Our beginner’s guide to sensory toys for toddlers provides valuable insights into the benefits of these toys and how to choose the right ones for your child.
Focus on Visual Stimulation
Visual stimulation is an important part of development that can be achieved with sensory toys. Children are naturally drawn to visual cues, and they learn best when they’re able to see the cause and effect of their actions.
- Stacking Cups
- Shape Sorter
- Colorful Blocks
These types of toys provide a visual cue for your child by encouraging them to create different shapes or patterns with the pieces, and then reward them when they do so correctly.
Focus on Auditory Stimulation
- Listen to music
The most obvious way to stimulate your auditory senses is by listening to music. You can stream your favorite tunes from the internet, listen to a CD or cassette tape, or even go old school and pop in an 8-track. If you’re looking for something a little more unconventional, here are some ideas:
- Listen to a story on audio book
This is especially great for kids who are just starting out with reading or learning English as their second language.
They’ll get exposed to new vocabulary and sentences while enjoying an engaging plotline at the same time! They also make great bedtime stories for adults who find it difficult falling asleep when there’s nothing else going on around them.
If you’re looking to enhance your child’s playtime, consider adding some sensory toys to their collection. Our article on 15 sensory toys every toddler should have in their toy box provides a helpful list of toys that are both fun and beneficial for your child’s development.
Encourage Gross and Fine Motor Skills
As you may already know, gross motor skills are large muscle movements. These are the large movements that help children to learn to walk and run. Examples include jumping, kicking, or running.
Fine motor skills are small muscle movements. These small movements help children to learn how to use their hands and fingers for tasks like writing or drawing. Examples include picking up objects with a stick or using scissors correctly.
Gross motor skills can be improved by playing with balls, dolls and other toys that promote movement; while fine motor skills can be improved by playing with buttons and zippers on jackets that require fine motor coordination (such as Velcro closures).
Sensory Play Activities for Children with Special Needs
| Special Need | Recommended Sensory Play Activities |
|---|---|
| Sensory processing disorder | Body brushing, deep pressure activities, weighted blankets |
| Autism | Sensory bins, sensory swings, calm-down bottles |
| ADHD | Fidget toys, bouncing on a therapy ball, playing with putty |
| Anxiety | Breathing exercises, mindfulness activities, guided imagery |
Encourage Vocalization and Language Development
As you play with your child, encourage her to talk. Singing and reading are great ways to help your child develop language skills.
Sing nursery rhymes, read books together, and tell stories using props or costumes. You can also use simple phrases like “That’s my shoe!” or “I love you!” These simple words will help your child develop social skills as well as language development.
If your child has trouble grasping the concept of cause-and-effect toys can be very helpful in encouraging speech development.
When he bangs on drums or presses buttons on an electronic toy he will learn cause-and-effect relationships between actions and reactions which will aid him as he learns new words and phrases later on in life.
Choosing the right sensory toys for your child can be a challenge. However, our article on sensory toys for toddlers: how to choose the right ones for your child offers practical advice for parents, including tips on selecting toys that are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental stage.
Explore Smell and Taste With Sensory Play
Sensory play is an excellent way to explore the sense of smell and taste. These two senses are often overlooked as children get older, but they’re just as important as the other senses such as sight and hearing.
You can provide opportunities for your child to explore their sense of smell and taste by trying out different scents, letting them sniff things like flowers or spices.
You can also try letting them taste foods from around the world that may have different flavors than what they’re used to eating here in America.
You can even make fresh foods like fruit smoothies using various combinations of fruits and vegetables depending on how adventurous you want to get!
Engage in Pretend Play With Props
The main purpose of pretend play is to allow children to engage in imaginative games and activities.
This form of play helps children develop social skills, language development, creativity, and cognitive abilities.
Props can be used to help children engage with the world around them. Sensory toys are typically aimed at both boys and girls; however some are more gender specific than others.
Below are some props that you can use when engaging in sensory play with your child:
Blanket – A blanket is an essential component of any bed time routine as it helps create a safe place for kids to relax and fall asleep on their own terms without feeling anxious about being left alone in their room during the night.
The blanket also gives parents peace of mind knowing that if anything were ever happen while they aren’t home (e.g., fire), then there would still be someone nearby who could help protect them from harm until further assistance arrived!
Provide Opportunities for Cognitive Development
Sensory toys are not only fun to play with, but they can also provide opportunities for children to use their imaginations, problem-solve, practice self-control, think critically, and make decisions.
For example: If a child is given a set of Legos or blocks and told that she can build anything she wants out of them (within reason), her brain will be working overtime as it tries to figure out how best to use these resources in order to construct an interesting object.
This is essentially the same kind of problem solving that goes into building real machines like bridges or robots; after all the design work is done though, there’s no need for someone else’s help in putting those plans into action!
Likewise when playing with toy cars or trucks (or any sort of vehicle really) kids will often create scenarios where they can imagine themselves behind the wheel on some exciting adventure – whether it’s racing against each other around cones in a makeshift racetrack made from chairs and tables…or maybe just driving through town looking for places where their parents would normally say no because it’s dangerous (but won’t notice because they’re not paying attention).
Another option might be creating obstacles like ramps where cars have to jump over barriers rather than drive through them which could lead kids down paths where they discover new ways around certain problems such as how much force needs applied when jumping over something versus driving right through it!
Sensory toys are not only beneficial for physical development, but can also play a role in supporting children’s mental health. Our article on how sensory toys can help children manage anxiety and stress explains how these toys can provide a calming and comforting outlet for children experiencing stress or anxiety.
Don’t Forget To Play!
Play is an important part of child development. It’s a way for children to learn about the world around them, as well as themselves and other people.
As you think about the different types of sensory toys available, remember that play should be fun! The best way for children to learn is when they’re having fun.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you understand the basics of sensory toys and how to incorporate them into your child’s playtime.
It can be difficult to know where to start, but we’ve provided some guidelines for choosing sensory toys that will be sure to keep your kids engaged and active.
We also recommend finding ways for them to play with their senses in everyday life by using their hands as they explore their surroundings or taking time out of each day for quiet meditation.
Play is a great way for children (and adults!) to learn about themselves while building social skills and fostering creativity!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you might find helpful in learning more about sensory play and its benefits:
Your Kid’s Table: Sensory Basics – This article provides an overview of sensory play and explains why it is important for children’s development.
Best Toys 4 Toddlers: How to Start with Sensory Play – This resource offers practical tips on how to introduce sensory play to your child.
Pathways.org: Sensory – This website provides a range of resources related to sensory development, including information on sensory milestones and activities to support sensory development.
FAQs
What is sensory play?
Sensory play involves activities that engage children’s senses, such as touch, sight, and sound. These activities can include exploring different textures, playing with water or sand, and experimenting with different materials.
Why is sensory play important for children’s development?
Sensory play can help children develop important skills, such as hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. It can also provide a calming and therapeutic outlet for children who are experiencing stress or anxiety.
How can I introduce sensory play to my child?
There are many ways to introduce sensory play to your child, including providing them with toys and materials that engage their senses, setting up a sensory table, and encouraging outdoor play.
What are some good sensory toys for toddlers?
Good sensory toys for toddlers include toys that provide a range of textures and sensory experiences, such as squishy balls, textured blocks, and musical instruments.
Can sensory play benefit children with special needs?
Yes, sensory play can be particularly beneficial for children with special needs, including those with sensory processing disorder or autism. By engaging in sensory play activities, these children can develop important skills and improve their overall well-being.
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.
