5 Engaging Sensory Play Activities and Why They Matter

Written on March 11, 2025. Posted in Blog. No Comments on 5 Engaging Sensory Play Activities and Why They Matter

5 Engaging Sensory Play Activities and Why They Matter

Sensory play is a vital part of early childhood development. It helps children engage with their environment, develop essential skills, and build connections in the brain. By exploring different textures, sounds, scents, and movements, children not only have fun but also strengthen their cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities.

Below are five engaging sensory play activities and how they support development.

1. Messy Play with Taste-Safe Materials

Messy play using edible materials like yoghurt, jelly, or mashed vegetables allows children to explore textures in a safe and engaging way. They can squish, smear, and even taste their play materials, stimulating multiple senses at once.

Benefits:

Supports sensory processing – Helps children become comfortable with different textures, reducing sensitivity to messy or unfamiliar sensations.
Encourages fine motor development – Strengthens small hand muscles used for writing, buttoning clothes, and other important tasks.
Enhances language skills – Children learn to describe what they feel, taste, and see, expanding their vocabulary.
Boosts creativity – Messy play allows open-ended exploration, fostering imagination and problem-solving skills.

2. Playing with Noisy Toys

Toys that produce sounds, such as rattles, bells, or musical instruments, stimulate a child’s auditory sense. Babies learn about cause and effect as they shake, bang, or press objects to produce different noises.

Benefits:

Develops auditory processing skills – Helps children differentiate between sounds, which is crucial for language development.
Encourages hand-eye coordination – Reaching for and grasping sound-producing toys strengthens motor skills.
Supports early language development – Exposure to different sounds builds the foundation for speech and communication.
Enhances focus and attention – Engaging with sounds teaches children to listen carefully and respond to auditory cues.

3. Exploring Different Scents

Introducing children to a variety of smells—such as scented playdough, herbs, flowers, or citrus peels—encourages them to use their olfactory sense in a meaningful way. Since the sense of smell is linked to memory and emotion, this activity can create strong sensory associations.

Benefits:

Enhances memory and recognition – Familiar scents can trigger positive memories and help children differentiate between different smells.
Supports emotional development – Certain scents, like lavender, can have a calming effect, while citrus scents can be energising.
Encourages curiosity and exploration – Smell is often overlooked, so introducing a variety of scents sparks interest and engagement.

4. Peekaboo and Hiding Games

Games like peekaboo and hiding objects under blankets help children develop an understanding of object permanence—the concept that things still exist even when they can’t be seen. This is an important cognitive milestone in early development.

Benefits:

Builds cognitive skills – Strengthens memory and problem-solving as children learn to anticipate the return of hidden objects or people.
Enhances social interaction – Peekaboo encourages turn-taking, eye contact, and social bonding, helping to develop early communication skills.
Develops visual tracking – Watching a hidden object reappear strengthens the ability to follow movement, an important skill for reading and coordination.
Encourages emotional resilience – Helps children understand that separations (like a parent leaving the room) are temporary, easing separation anxiety.

5. Textured Materials for Tactile Exploration

Providing children with different textured objects—such as soft fabrics, bumpy sponges, smooth stones, or textured chew toys—stimulates their sense of touch. This helps them process and respond appropriately to tactile sensations.

Benefits:

Encourages sensory integration – Helps children process different textures, which is particularly beneficial for those with sensory sensitivities.
Strengthens fine motor skills – Holding, squeezing, and manipulating textured objects builds hand strength and coordination.
Supports emotional regulation – Certain textures, like soft materials or deep pressure touch, can have a calming effect on children.
Builds confidence with new experiences – Exposure to different textures helps children become more comfortable with new sensations, which can be useful in activities like eating diverse foods or wearing different fabrics.

The Science Behind Sensory Play

Sensory play is more than just fun—it’s a crucial part of early learning. Studies show that multi-sensory stimulation (engaging multiple senses at once) enhances cognitive development, emotional regulation, and motor skills. Sensory-rich experiences help children build strong neural connections, laying the foundation for skills like problem-solving, social interaction, and self-regulation.

By incorporating sensory play into daily activities, caregivers can support a child’s development in a meaningful and engaging way. Whether it’s through messy play, music, textures, or movement, sensory experiences help children explore, learn, and grow.

The Role of Social Connection

Written on October 8, 2024. Posted in Blog.

Strong social connections in early childhood are the building blocks of a child’s emotional and social well-being. Research shows that those early experiences shape how children interact with the world, influencing everything from forming friendships to managing emotions and working well with others. According to the Centre for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), strong social connections provide both protection and support, offering the emotional foundation that helps children thrive.

As the CSSP puts it, “Constructive and supportive social connections help buffer parents from stressors and encourage nurturing behaviours that promote secure attachments in young children.” For aspiring childcare professionals, helping children build these connections is key. Through play, educators can create spaces where children feel safe, secure, and free to bond with their peers. This early support doesn’t just boost their well-being now but also sets them up for success in their future relationships and careers.

The Power of Play in Building Relationships

Play isn’t just a way for kids to pass the time; it’s a vital part of how they learn and grow. Through play, children boost their cognitive skills, social-emotional understanding, and language abilities, especially when they have the support of caring educators. Studies show that when children engage in cooperative play with their peers, they pick up important skills like empathy, problem-solving, and conflict resolution—skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Types of Play That Foster Connections:

Cooperative Play: This kind of play encourages kids to work together and understand one another, helping them build teamwork skills.
Pretend Play: When kids dive into imaginative worlds, they explore different social roles, which helps them develop empathy and see things from other people’s perspectives.
Group Activities: These not only promote communication and sharing but also teach kids how to resolve conflicts and collaborate effectively.

For those working in childcare, facilitating these types of play is crucial. It’s about creating environments where children can form meaningful friendships and strengthen their social and emotional skills. Aspiring childcare professionals have the incredible opportunity to harness the power of play, guiding kids as they learn to cooperate, solve problems, and communicate with each other. By fostering these experiences, educators create a vibrant atmosphere where every child can thrive and flourish.

Emotional and Behavioural Regulation through Play

Play plays a crucial role in helping children learn how to manage their emotions. When kids take part in activities like drama or collaborative games, they get to practise handling strong feelings like frustration and excitement in a safe space. Dr Evgenia Theodotou from the University of East London points out that drama, in particular, can really boost concentration and engagement, which supports personal growth.

As educators, creating an environment where children feel safe to express their emotions is essential. By encouraging activities that promote emotional expression—think art projects or role-playing—early years practitioners can help kids build healthy coping strategies for dealing with difficult emotions and behaviours. Courses like “Emotion Coaching” equip educators with the skills to guide children through these experiences, helping them understand and effectively regulate their feelings.

How Educators Can Foster Strong Social Bonds

Early years educators play a crucial role in helping children build social connections by fostering a positive, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere. Research shows that personal and social skills really thrive in environments that encourage freedom and creativity. Activities like drawing, music, and drama provide children with fantastic opportunities to engage with one another, paving the way for emotional growth.

For those looking to make a difference as childcare workers, it’s important to get training that dives into understanding the emotional and social needs of children. Courses such as “Supporting Emotional and Behavioural Regulation” offer valuable insights into child psychology, giving educators the tools they need to create nurturing and inclusive spaces where children can develop their social skills.

Why This Matters for Your Career in Childcare

For anyone keen to kickstart a career in early years education, being able to support children’s social and emotional development is invaluable. There’s a growing demand for professionals who can nurture strong social bonds through play and arts-based activities. By creating environments where children feel free to explore and connect with each other, early years educators play a vital role in shaping the futures of the little ones in their care.

Gaining practical experience is essential to developing these skills, and courses like the “Early Years Educator” programme offer the perfect mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. In settings such as nurseries, pre-schools, and reception classes, aspiring educators will have the chance to guide children in building relationships that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Connections and Early Relationships

Play fosters strong social connections among children—connections that are vital for their development. For those contemplating a career in childcare, understanding how to nurture these relationships, particularly through play, will enable them to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the children in their care.

If you’re eager to embark on a fulfilling journey in early childhood education, why not explore our diverse range of courses, including the Early Years Educator program. This is your opportunity to make a positive difference in children’s lives. Investing in training that highlights the significance of social connections is an essential step towards becoming an effective early years educator. So, let’s celebrate the power of play and connection, one joyful interaction at a time.

Forest School Education

Written on July 1, 2021. Posted in Blog.

Forest School Education

Forest School is a child-centred learning approach that encourages development through regular, hands-on experiences in a natural environment. Rooted in play, exploration, and supported risk-taking, it empowers children to build confidence and self-esteem while deepening their connection with the world around them.

As spring unfolds, this is an ideal time to revisit the principles of Forest School — and how its nature-based philosophy supports children’s holistic development.

What Is Forest School?

Forest School promotes growth in all areas of development — social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and even spiritual. It is led by trained practitioners who support learner-led discovery and exploration, allowing children to experiment, make mistakes, and grow through meaningful, real-world experiences.

At its core, Forest School values creativity, independence, self-belief, and the right of each child to develop at their own pace through interaction with the natural environment.

A Brief History of Forest School

Forest School has its roots in Scandinavia, where outdoor learning is deeply woven into everyday life. The concept arrived in the UK in 1993 after a group of nursery nurses from Somerset visited Denmark and were inspired by what they observed. They returned home eager to adopt and adapt the approach, leading to the gradual spread of Forest School programmes across the UK.

Although nature-based learning can be traced back to British educators as early as the 19th century, it was the Scandinavian model that crystallised Forest School into the philosophy we know today.

The Forest School Philosophy

Forest School is grounded in a set of values that reflect a deep respect for the child as an individual:

All learners are unique, competent, and capable of initiating their own learning.
Risk-taking and challenge are recognised as essential to development.
Positive relationships — with oneself, others, and the natural world — are nurtured.
Learners are encouraged to explore, discover, imagine, and take responsibility.
Success is measured not just in outcomes, but in growth, effort, and engagement.

This approach creates an environment where children feel safe to push boundaries, ask questions, and develop key life skills — all while immersed in nature.

How to Bring Forest School into Everyday Life

You don’t need a forest to embrace the Forest School approach — you can start right at home or in your local green space. Many Forest School-style activities are simple, inexpensive, and use materials you already have.

Here are a few nature-inspired ideas to try this spring:

Den Building: Encourage creative problem-solving using sticks, blankets, or natural materials in the garden or park.
Bug Hunts: Equip children with a magnifying glass and let them observe minibeasts in their habitat.
Sensory Nature Walks: Invite children to engage all their senses — feeling bark, smelling flowers, listening for birds, or spotting patterns in the clouds.
Creative Play: Use mud, leaves, pebbles, or petals to make natural art, potions, or fairy homes.

Your garden or local park can become an extension of this experience with a bit of imagination. The key is to offer time, space, and trust — and let children take the lead in their discoveries.

In embracing Forest School values, we’re not just offering children outdoor play — we’re giving them a foundation for lifelong learning, rooted in curiosity, confidence, and care for the natural world.

The Science of Nature

Written on March 24, 2021. Posted in Blog.

The Science of Nature

“Children will not protect what they don’t know, and they won’t know what they haven’t experienced.”
— Sir David Attenborough

Nature has long been recognised as a powerful influence on our health and wellbeing — not just emotionally, but physiologically and cognitively too. Far from being a luxury, time spent in natural spaces is increasingly understood as essential to our development and long-term health.

Scientific research shows that just two hours a week in nature can have a significant impact on overall health and wellbeing. Less than that, and the benefits begin to disappear. But what is it about the natural world that makes such a profound difference?

Nature and the Brain

Time spent in natural environments has been shown to reduce stress hormone levels, lower blood pressure, and improve immune response. A walk in a forest, for example, can increase the body’s natural killer cells — key in fighting viruses and even cancer — and significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and fatigue.

There are measurable cognitive benefits too. In one study, two groups were given the same 45-minute walk — one through quiet hills, the other along a tree-lined but busy urban street. Afterward, the hill-walkers performed better in cognitive tests and reported more positive moods, demonstrating how quality of nature matters just as much as the act of getting outdoors.

A Disturbing Disconnect

Despite the clear benefits, our connection to nature is dwindling. A 2019 study revealed that half of all 18- to 29-year-olds were online almost constantly, with dramatically reduced time spent outdoors. Even more concerning, three-quarters of UK children were reported to spend less time outdoors than prison inmates — with one in five not playing outside at all on an average day.

This decline in outdoor play and exploration has serious implications for child development, both physically and mentally. Screen time continues to rise, but it often replaces the kind of sensory, unstructured experiences that are foundational for early learning.

Access Matters

Not all nature experiences are equal. While gardens offer some exposure, children benefit far more from time in wild or semi-wild environments — parks, woods, beaches, and open green spaces. Research suggests that these diverse, stimulating environments support everything from motor skills to executive function.

Efforts like urban greening and school forest programs are gaining momentum for good reason: they promote healthier, more resilient communities and help reverse some of the developmental challenges linked to limited nature access.

Supporting Children Through Nature

For those working with children, these findings reaffirm the importance of getting outside — not just occasionally, but regularly. Whether it’s bug hunts, forest walks, growing a garden, or simply watching clouds, nature offers infinite opportunities for exploration, connection, and calm.

And as Attenborough reminds us: “Children will not protect what they don’t know.” If we want the next generation to value and care for the world around them, we must ensure they have every opportunity to know it — with their eyes, their hands, and their hearts.

Developing Imaginative and Creative Play Opportunities

Written on January 11, 2021. Posted in Blog.

Developing Imaginative and Creative Play Opportunities

By Yasmin Mukadam

Imaginative and creative play is a natural and essential way for children to learn about the world around them. It engages the whole body and mind — from sensory exploration to fine and gross motor skills — helping children express themselves both verbally and non-verbally. Through play, children use their muscles, activate their senses, and interact with their environment, all of which support healthy physical growth and neurological development.

As we step into spring and look ahead to Earth Day, it’s the perfect time to refresh play opportunities with nature-inspired themes and creative spaces that encourage development — away from screens and into the world of imagination.

🌍 Imaginative Role Play and Creative Set-Ups

Outer Space:
Children can become astronauts, aliens, or even the first explorers on a newly discovered planet. Use recycled materials to create a spaceship and different “space stations.” Encourage missions to explore imaginary worlds or defend Earth — an opportunity to blend science, storytelling, and problem-solving. This kind of play encourages spatial reasoning, social interaction, and abstract thinking.

Doctor’s Office, Hospital or Veterinary Clinic:
Use this scenario to introduce the roles of different medical professionals, alongside the basics of first aid. Support children in creating a GP surgery or vet clinic using dolls, soft toys, and play medical kits. Add paper forms, cardboard x-ray machines, and even make a waiting area. This environment supports empathy, role understanding, and early literacy through mark-making.

Restaurant:
Creating a play restaurant or kitchen lets children explore familiar routines and social structures, while also building numeracy and literacy. Provide props like plates, play food, and empty boxes. They can design menus, take orders, and role-play as chefs or waitstaff. This type of role play helps them understand sequencing, cooperation, and daily life routines.

🎨 Creative Arts and Messy Exploration

Drawing & Craft Activities:
Designate a space filled with varied materials — felt pens, crayons, glue, feathers, ribbons, and recycled items. Offer different paper types and colours. Encourage open-ended creation: cards, collages, models. Creative arts strengthen fine motor development, self-expression, and executive functioning.

Messy Play:
Offer an area where children can freely explore with water, sand, foam, paint, pasta, clay and more. This form of sensory play is deeply therapeutic, fostering emotional regulation while building cognitive understanding of texture, form, and cause-and-effect.

Painting & Playdough:
Both painting and modelling support expressive freedom. Provide a variety of brush sizes, colours, tools, and natural materials (leaves, sticks, flowers) to enrich the creative process. Making their own playdough with natural dyes or seasonal scents adds a further sensory element, encouraging focus and imaginative play.

🌱 Construction and Small World Play

Construction and small world activities allow children to build narratives, experiment with structures, and explore real-world systems in miniature form. Some useful props include:

Nature-themed sets: farm animals, insects, sea creatures, birds — perfect for spring and Earth Day themes.
Transport and emergency vehicles: cars, boats, helicopters, ambulances, trains.
Building materials: blocks, LEGO®, wooden shapes — ideal for creating environments or infrastructure.
Role play resources: toolkits, telephones, laptops, dressing-up costumes, soft toys.

These materials allow children to explore physical and social dynamics, practice sequencing and logical thinking, and develop symbolic play — a precursor to advanced cognitive development.

Creative and imaginative play is not simply enjoyable; it is essential. It builds a child’s confidence in expressing themselves, nurtures their emotional intelligence, and supports foundational learning in literacy, numeracy, science, and the arts — all within a safe and exploratory environment.

As adults, our role is not to direct but to observe and sensitively support, offering space and time for sustained play, while ensuring the environment is safe and appropriate to the child’s age and developmental stage. It’s important to give children the freedom to lead their own creative journeys.

Tag: play