Expert Tip & Most Popular DIY Ideas for Toddler Sensory Play

Messy, gooey play ideas excite children. A sock full of beans, lights up their eyes. They love getting their hands on that sticky slime. It’s a different world of messy, fun-filled learning. Few things cannot be taught by words, they require touching, smelling & feeling. Sensory play is such an important part of early childhood.

This is in integral part of early education. Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates your young child’s senses – touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing. Experts site various benefits of including this in early education. It can help to build language and fine motor skills.

Ms. Shalini Jaiswal, Director- Academics Maple Bear India says,“At Maple Bear, we realise the importance of play in a child’s everyday world. Children are naturally curious about their surroundings and are eager to learn about it. They need to manipulate, explore, and experiment with real objects. Play is the serious work of children. Through it they clarify information, integrate ideas from their previous experiences, and explore and experiment with their environment. Play gives them the opportunity to add knowledge, learn new skills and practice familiar ones. They learn to deal with their feelings, interact with children and adults, and resolve conflicts. They develop their imagination and creativity and discover how to solve problems.

Few sensory plays ideas that can enhance your child’s development are –

Homemade Dough

Make dough out of refined flour, glues & lots of safe edible colours. Do add some oil so that the dough does not dry out. Knead it well to get a smooth texture.

Bean Socks

Fill one of the child’s favourite colour socks with dries beans & secure the ends well. Excellent way to teach them about texture.

Primary Colours Squishy Bag

On a thick cardboard attached few zip lock pouches. Fill these pouches with different colours & some water. Let them squeeze them & mix different colours together.

Sand Foam

Sand Foam is perfect for sensory exploration. You can make it using sand and shaving cream. Kids will love running their hands and fingers through the fluffy, textured mixture.

Slime

Make a slime using shaving cream & glue. Do add a lot of glitter & colours to make it attractive.

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