Sensory play is incredibly beneficial to children because it encourages them to use all of their senses.
Children learn in a variety of ways. Sometimes, they learn best in a classroom setting and need to be lectured by an adult in order to grasp a difficult concept. However, there are other times, where a child needs to rely on their senses to learn about the world around them. Children are naturally curious, and sensory play has a huge role in child development. With that said, here are three significant benefits of sensory play to children.
Develops Senses
The five humans senses include sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. Sensory play is incredibly beneficial to children because it encourages them to use all of their senses. It is important that children learn to utilize these senses because it will help them as they grow into teenagers. If a child is struggling with one of the senses, sensory play can help supplement any weakness. Children will learn through sensory play without even realizing it.
Helps Children Relax
Children are known to have excessive amounts of energy. Sensory play is an excellent way to get an anxious child to relax. As a parent, sometimes all you need to do to calm your child is put a fun toy in front of them and let them play with it. For example, if your child is very nervous about the trip to the doctor, a stress ball may help put them at ease.
Tunes Fine Motor Skills
Generally speaking, sensory play primarily calls upon a child’s fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are developed through activities that require the require of small muscle groups. A few examples of such include buttoning clothing, tying shoes, writing, and drawing. Sensory play is a great way for a child to develop the necessary motor skills children need.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.