Sensory Play: Why It Matters for Special Needs Development
Sensory Play: Why It Matters for Special Needs Development
When it comes to children’s development, playtime is far more than mere child’s play. This is especially true in children with special needs, for they often benefit most from sensory play. Let’s dive into why it’s crucial and how you can foster it at home.
What is Sensory Play?
Sensory play, also known as play-based learning, is any activity that stimulates your child’s senses: touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. Such sensory experiences are not only fun for children, but they also help them learn and develop a wide range of skills.
In many ways, it is a foundational approach in teaching children with special needs. Understanding Twice-Exceptionality: A Parents’ Guide explains that these children often have sensitivities to sensory input. Sensory play can therefore be a practical tool to help those with sensory processing issues learn to respond to sensory information in a healthier way.
The Benefits of Sensory Play
Sensory play supports many areas of a child’s development. It boosts language development, cognitive growth, motor skills, problem-solving skills, and social interaction. For children with special needs, however, the benefits are even more pronounced:
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Improves Focus: Children with ADHD and other similar issues often struggle with attention. Sensory play can help them improve their focus and attention skills.
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Promotes Calming Effect: For children who often experience sensory overload, sensory play can provide a calming effect. It can help them learn to self-regulate their behavior.
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Increases Tactile Experiences: Many special needs children avoid touching certain textures. Sensory play motivates them to overcome these fears and increase their range of tactile experiences.
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Boosts Communication Skills: Sensory activities often prompt children to describe their experiences, feelings, or actions, improving their vocabulary and conversation skills.
How to Incorporate Sensory Play at Home
Now that we understand its importance let’s discover how to incorporate sensory play at home:
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Sensory Bins: Create a bin filled with various materials such as pom-poms, kinetic sand, or water beads. These bins can provide different tactile experiences. Changing the contents regularly can keep your child engaged.
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Craft Activities: Let your child paint with their fingers, play with clay, or make sculptures with papier-mache. These activities stimulate your child’s artistic sense and boost their creativity.
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Nature Exploration: Encourage your child to explore the outdoors. Let them feel the grass under their feet, touch tree bark, or play with fallen leaves.
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Food-Based Sensory Play: Cook alongside your child. Let them help knead dough, mix ingredients, or sort vegetables by color or size.
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Recorded Sounds: Make a soundboard using recordings of natural sounds, animals, or musical instruments. It’s a great way to develop your child’s auditory senses.
As you’re experimenting with sensory play, keep an eye on how your child reacts - it helps to create a safe and positive experience for them. You might also want to check Tech to the Rescue: The Best Apps for Special Education, which offers a trove of digital resources for sensory experiences.
Sensory Play: A Game-Changer for Special Needs Development
When correctly used, sensory play can significantly assist in shaping a child’s development. And while all children can benefit from it, for children with special needs, it can be a game-changer.
Finally, remember that you’re not alone on this journey. Reach out to communities Seeking Support: Finding the Right Community for Special Needs Families or join the conversation on our blog for support, ideas, and tips tailored to your unique parenting needs.