Some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. If you click them, I earn a small commission. It does not cost you anything extra, but this commission helps support the work of running this site. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.
4 Reasons for Sensory Play & DIY Sensory Bag
Sensory play is an important part of learning for babies and toddlers. Amanda Morgan, of www.notjustcute.com, explains in her article that kids learn more through experience and play rather than being taught.
As soon as a baby is born (and data shows that even in utero), they are learning from their environments. Sensory play is a fun a easy way for kids to learn and discover about shapes, textures, sounds, smells and tastes.
As babies develop, they are using their senses to explore. That is why everything goes in their mouths (besides when they are teething). They are trying to discover and learn about different textures and taste.
4 Reasons for Sensory Play
1) Using sensory play encourages language skill development. New experiences require new words and phrases to be learned. Children are motivated through play to learn and develop new skills. Learning through the senses helps children develop classifying and categorization skills.
2) Learning through sensory play encourages brain development. Research has shown that sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks. Sensory play encourages problem solving skills.
3) Sensory play is also good for fine motor skill development. When you give more opportunities for children to use their hands, they will fine tune the skills needed to manipulate smaller objects.
4) Sensory Play is a great social activity. Children learn about sharing and playing with others through play environments. Using sensory play is a great way to get kids involved with each other and sharing. Children can share what they are learning about the objects with each other “This rock is cold and hard.” “The bubbles are sticky.”
Sensory activities are easy to make.
You can make sensory bins or bags.
For Bins, you can fill a bin with beans, rice, sand, or water. Next, place different objects in the bin for your child to play and discover.
I saw one sensory bin full of feathers! That looked like a lot of fun too.
When you are playing with sensory bins or bags, help your child discover by asking:
What do you feel? What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? if appropriate, What do you taste? (Not always appropriate, haha)
For my sensory water bag:
I wanted to create a sensory bag that would appeal to both my 3 year old and my 9 month old.
My 3 year old is learning about Letters and Numbers right now. She likes playing games finding letters, discovering sounds and learning new words.
My 9 month old is very tactile. She wants to touch and feel everything.
To make:
Supplies:
2 ziplock bags
some tape to seal bags (I used clear packing tape)
water
soap
glitter
foam letters
Directions:
I filled one ziplock bag 1/3-1/2 full of water. I like the look of bubbles in water, so I added a little soap (about one pump of my hand soap).
I added 3 different colors of glitter. (blue, red, and gold). About a pinch of each. You can add how much you like.
Place foam letters in bag.
Close bag (try to get all the air out as possible) and seal with tape.
Place bag in another bag to be safe ; ) (Again, try to get all the air out as possible)
Play time!
With my 3 year old, we played find the letter. We were able to talk about different words that started with the different letters in the bag.
With my 9 month old, I let her hit the bag and grab it. She had a lot of fun exploring with the water.
Have you made sensory play bins or bags? What are your favorite sensory play activities?
I feel like motherhood was the most amazing thing that ever happened to me… but I had to discover how to not lose myself in the process.
Sound familiar?
I teach busy moms how to make simple healthy swaps that make a huge impact on their health and results.
- Can You Eat Gluten Free Dairy Free Keto? - January 27, 2022
- Easy Dairy Free Alternatives for a Dairy Free Diet - January 27, 2022
- How to Start Your Gluten Free Dairy Free Diet - January 27, 2022
[…] 4 Reasons for Sensory Play & DIY Sensory Bag Sensory play is an important part of learning for babies and toddlers. Amanda Morgan, of http://www.notjustcute.com, explains in Read More […]
cute idea! I never thought I would reach the point that I did not have little ones to do fun things like this with, but I am looking at my youngest who is now 8. Big Sigh! I have to start a “future grandma” board on pinterst for things like this!
Aww. I know, I’m in the middle of little kids and I honestly don’t know what life will be like when they are older. We are having fun though!
I have been doing a lot of sensory bins with my 3 and 7 year old boys before we start our schoolwork and they are hooked! It makes for a productive school time since they are calm and focused afterward (well, as calm as they ever get).
I hadn’t thought to do one with water – looks like fun!
It is fun! I really like how it can appeal to both of my girls.
I love this idea. My little guy has some sensory issues so I incorporate a lot of different sensory things into our daily lives. This would be a really fun one for him that I don’t need to worry about a giant mess! Thanks for sharing at the Playful Learning Linky! I hope you’re having a great weekend 🙂
I double bagged mine just in case my toddler started having too much fun with it, haha. Both girls really seem to enjoy playing with it.
We do lots of sensory activities, but not this one! I love the idea of the letters in the bag, I just made a sandpaper alphabet, this will go great with that!
Oh I love that idea of a sandpaper alphabet, I’m going to go check it out.
Here’s how we made ours http://meandbabye.com/respect-the-play-activities-projects-and-tips-to-keep-little-ones-engaged-and-playing/how-and-why-to-make-a-sandpaper-alphabet-board/
looking forward to trying this with my toddler!
http://ioniunandthethreebiscuits.blogspot.com/
Hope they enjoy it! You can also put more letters in and try to find letters to spell words if they are a little older.
i love reason 4! really in lots of occasions we forget how important sensory play is for our children’s social development – thanks for pointing this out!
Thanks for reading Marwa : )
I pinned this post. And then I pinned some of your pins with other fun activities. And then I pinned some more, and then I pinned a whole lot more, lol
Great activities! Thank you so much for sharing them!
Thank you so so much for pinning! I’m glad you found some things you enjoyed : )
What great ideas Angela. I like the idea in the bag. I have tried beans and made maracas with beans, but my toddler always destroys everything – or throws everything around.
I might try to hot glue some different feeling items on a cardboard – but I’m sure he would destroy that as well.
i think he has fun doing it, it’s just the clean up that’s a bear.
Thanks so much for sharing on the #homechoollinkup@ Of course, pinning to my play board!
My 3 year old can be destructive as well… I have had to accept that part of playtime (which I don’t enjoy). I’m glad I’m not the only one with a kid who likes taking things apart, haha.
This is a cool idea. My youngest son is going to love this! Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome!
[…] Four Reasons for Sensory Play by. Grassfed Mama […]
[…] Four Reasons for Sensory Play by. Grassfed Mama […]