Children discover the world with their senses. From the moment they are born, they experience their environment by feeling, smelling, tasting, hearing, and seeing. Sensory play helps babies and young children to further develop these senses. But what exactly is sensory play? Where does it come from and which toys are suitable for each age? In this blog, we dive deeper into this playful and educational world!
What is sensory play?
Sensory play is a method of play that focuses on stimulating the senses. By discovering different textures, sounds, scents, and materials, children learn to observe, concentrate, and solve problems better. In addition, this type of play promotes fine and gross motor skills.
Play by age
Depending on your child's age, you can use it in various ways. Here are a few fun suggestions!
Up to 1 year: feeling, grasping, and discovering
For babies, sensory play is mainly about feeling and discovering textures and materials. Everything is grasped and brought to the mouth to investigate.
✨ Recommendations for this age:
✔ Sensory Ball by Jollein – This soft ball has a ribbed texture and is perfect for little hands to grasp. It stimulates the sense of touch and helps in the development of fine motor skills. Check it out here.
✔ Teethers with different textures – Great for teething and discovering new structures.
✔ Mirrors and crinkle books – Provide visual and auditory stimulation. Or consider the touch-and-feel books by Milo!
1 - 2 years: experimenting and playing
Toddlers begin to explore the world more consciously. They love discovering cause and effect and enjoy experimenting with materials.
✨ Recommendations for this age:
✔ Kinetic sand or rice bins – Ideal for tactile and motor stimulation. Let your child scoop, pour, and knead.
✔ Stacking towers and shape sorters – Helps with spatial awareness and fine motor skills. Check out the Jollein towers!
✔ Water and bath toys – Sensory play with water is a hit with young children.
3 years and older: creativity and problem-solving thinking
From age three, sensory play becomes even more interesting. Children can reason, sort, and recognize patterns better. Creativity also gets a boost!
✨ Recommendations for this age:
✔ Playdough or salt dough – Perfect for creating shapes and developing motor skills.
✔ Musical instruments like a rainmaker or xylophone – Stimulates hearing and sense of rhythm.
✔ Sensory bin with different materials – Let your child feel various objects while blindfolded and guess what they are.
Why sensory play is so valuable
Sensory play is not just fun, but also extremely educational. It stimulates brain development, helps children regulate their emotions, and boosts their self-confidence. Moreover, it is a great way to spend time together and discover new things.
Do you want to introduce sensory play to your child? Start simply with a Sensory Ball by Jollein or another sensory toy that suits their age. Have fun playing! 🎉
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