If you feel like your toddler is always getting into everything, then they’re engaging in sensory play. Occupational therapists recommend incorporating sensory activities from infancy; it’s never too late to start. Exposure to various forms of sensory input is important for your child’s development. There are endless ways to add this to your daily routine. Keep reading to learn more about sensory play and our OTs’ recommendations.
Why Are Sensory Toys Good For Toddlers?
Toddlers are naturally curious about the world around them! They are experimenting with different items that have many different sensory properties. Appropriate sensory toys allow for safe exploration while engaging one or more of their senses. Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are enhanced through manipulating objects of different sizes. Sharing a sensory game with a friend can help toddlers develop social skills and communication. Toddlers fine-tune emotional skills as they learn about what they like and what they don’t like and how it makes them feel.
What Is Sensory Play For Toddlers?
Sensory play can be done anywhere and doesn’t require any specific tools. Playgrounds are a great space that can engage movement and balance, joint and muscle pressure, sounds and sight. A nature walk, balancing on a curb and helping in the kitchen are types of sensory play as well. Some guidelines for sensory play are– simple, supervised, varied and FUN.
When Should I Start Sensory Play With My Toddler?
The best time to start sensory play with your toddler is TODAY! They are already exploring on their own, which is why we install safety locks. Instead of hearing yourself say “No, don’t touch that!” all the time, give them things that are safe and encourage them to touch, smell, taste and move to experience the world around them.
Which Toddler Sensory Toys Are Best?
We have seen above how to give our toddler sensory experiences, but for recommendations on specific types of sensory toys, read on!
- Tactile Toys
These are toys with texture and varied shapes for kids to touch and feel. Weighted Tactile Beanbags and Weighted Textured Balls are fun for toddlers to play with. As a visual bonus, many toys with texture include engaging colors as well. Books with tactile features like bumps, ridges and varied fabrics are a fun way to give toddlers sensory input too.
- Squishy toys
Fidgets that kids can squeeze and squish can provide stress relief, emotional regulation and hand strengthening opportunities. The Bubble Pop Balls are a fun way to explore cause and effect as toddlers press the bubbles and hear the satisfying pop. Supervised play with putty is a great sensory activity and promotes imaginative play as kids create shapes.
Fill a bin with edible items in bins such as puff cereal, cooked pasta or water as a base and add small toys and objects for your toddler to dig and find. Using water of varied temperatures can add to the sensory experience. Customize the sensory bin with themes to appeal to your toddler’s interest and keep them engaged for longer.
- Movement toys
There are many movement opportunities you can create in your home. Encourage your child to jump from one Spot Marker to the next and carefully make their way across a path of Balance Blocks. Enhance the experience by creating obstacle courses that combine sensory toys with household items.
Whatever sensory toys you choose for your child they will benefit from sensory play. Follow us on Instagram for more activity ideas and resources.
Check out our toddler-safe sensory toys to find the best ones for your child.
Comments