Nowadays, playing often seems complicated because a large part of play materials often consists of many individual parts and requires technical devices. But the simplest play is usually the most valuable – full of imagination, discovery, and adventure. Sensory play is one of the most natural and beneficial ways to play. It requires no elaborate accessories and is invaluable for child development.

What is sensory play?

Each of us has learned through sensory play. This type of play involves five central senses that invite exploration of the world:

• Sense of touch: Children learn how different surfaces feel. Whether soft, hard, rough, or smooth – every touch is a little adventure.
• Sense of smell: By smelling, children discover new scents and learn to distinguish them – from flowers to food to less pleasant odors.
• Sense of taste: By trying different foods, children learn which flavors they like and which they don't – whether sweet, salty, or sour.
• Sense of sight: Shapes, colors, patterns, and depth perception are trained by looking at books, pictures, or objects.
• Sense of hearing: Children learn which sounds they find pleasant or unpleasant – from the gentle patter of rain to loud music.

How sensory play promotes development

From birth, children are fascinated by sensory experiences – from cuddling with a soft blanket to exploring different structures and textures, smells, and tastes. Can you still remember the taste of your favorite childhood food? The unique scent of grandma's apple strudel? Sensory play is an integral part of a child's daily life and helps develop cognitive skills.

According to a Michigan State University study, cognitive skills are those we use to solve problems and develop new ideas from existing concepts. Young children automatically use all their senses to explore objects and store these impressions in their memory. Furthermore, sensory experiences are stored as whole-body experiences in the "sensory memory." The more senses involved in an experience, the more the brain is stimulated to process and store it in different categories. Nevertheless, it is important to ensure that there is no sensory overload. This sensory memory plays a crucial role in understanding and acquiring knowledge in the future.

Sensory play is for everyone

Particularly for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or sensory processing disorders, sensory play is specifically used. In occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavior therapy, it helps to identify and promote individual sensory preferences.

But sensory play is not just for children with special needs. Neurotypical children also benefit greatly – for example, through the development of self-regulation, language skills, and social competencies. And the best part? These benefits are not just for children. Ever kneaded a stress ball or used a fidget spinner? Adults also use sensory stimuli to concentrate better or relax.

Play idea for sensory play: 

Use one or more Original elements as a bowl – or even better, the Stapelstein® Original Grow as a pouring tray. Fill the elements with raw beans, lentils, rice, chestnuts, sand, or similar and provide cups, scoops, small jugs, and Original Mini or Inside ready. Children love to experiment and play with the pouring material. 

Additionally, you can hide small figures, letters, or numbers in it and make it an exciting search game: Who discovers the first object? What word fits the found letter? What sum results from two discovered numbers? Your imagination knows no bounds!

Important! Make sure your child plays safely, especially with small parts that could be swallowed.

Playing with all senses is fun

Sensory play means discovering and learning with all senses – and it's simply fun. A significant key to making those sensory experiences that are so valuable for a child's development is the approach of Maria Montessori: “Help me to do it myself.”

Through playful exploration, children learn intuitively. They experience how language works, how they can soothe themselves, and how much joy it brings to simply be creative. In a world full of distractions, sensory play is a wonderful way to return to the simple, natural joys of life.