Sensory Play in Early Childhood Education - post

Learning happens most effectively with hands-on and open-ended materials that can be used in multiple ways. When children involve their hands in the learning process their brains are more involved, they are more focused and motivated. Through manipulating different materials they are able to experiment with trial and error, and problem-solving.

Sensory play is hands-on and self-directed play that offers sensory stimulation for the brain. The use of all the senses allows children to learn more from the experience and retain more information. Asking children questions during sensory play helps to expand their vocabulary. Questions like "What does it feel like?" and "What does it smell like?" encourage children to use and expand their vocabulary.

Kinetic sand is mouldable, sculptable sand, children can use for creative, sensory, and open-ended play.

Benefits to children using Kinetic Sand:

• Develop fine motor skills.
  • Children can squeeze, squish, smash, poke, or pinch to strengthen their hands. Scoop it or cut it to practice grasping and using tools such as spoons, ice cream scoopers, and cookie cutters.

• Sensory play
  • Kinetic Sand is the perfect sensory material for kids who either crave or are sensitive to tactile input. Because Kinetic Sand can be squeezed it provides deep pressure, which is a form of tactile input that is calming and organizing to the body. Kids who are sensitive to messy play will likely be open to engaging with Kinetic Sand due to its soft, non-sticky texture.

Create your own Kinetic Sand.

Recipe:

• 2 ½  cups play sand
• 1 ½ cups corn starch
• ½ cups olive oil

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