Sensory Exploration – page 1

Sensory Exploration

Children learn through their senses. By exposing them to a variety of sensory experiences children learn about the properties/characteristics of objects and textures, which in turn develops fine motor skills, visual perceptual and cognitive skills. Children are natural explorers of their environment and sensory sensations. Small toy pieces and messy textures are appropriate when a child does not put items/textures in his/her mouth or on the body, and can understand boundaries (keeping materials in contained area). Be aware of allergies and composition of some materials. Don’t worry about messiness!

Young children or those who still explore textures with the mouth, throw materials, or cannot keep materials contained would benefit from the following sensory ideas:

  1. Exposure and play with a variety of textured toys including hard, soft, squishy, smooth, bumpy, etc. as well as toys that provide visual and auditory stimulation.
  2. Play rough-housing with bouncing, rolling, movement
  3. Swinging
  4. Walking barefoot in house or on grass
  5. Water play in tub, small inflatable pool, or with bucket filled with water.
  6. Running through the sprinkler

7. Rocking

  1. Back rubs or body massages that provide deep input. Some children like being rubbed with lotion.
  2. Finger play with food textures (pudding, jello, whipped cream, etc)
  3. Hiding toys in materials

Older children or those who do not put items in their mouth and can contain materials will enjoy:

  1. Sensory play with textured materials

Containers or surfaces to use Sensory Materials Accessories

Sandboxfingerpaint scoops

Plastic containersshaving creamsifters

Wallpaper traysplaydoughcolanders

Sinksaquarium gravelcups

Sturdy cardboard boxesricesponges

Bucketsbirdseedshovels

Cookie sheetssandspoons

Wheelbarrowcornmealsand/water wheel

Papercornstarch(mix withplastic scissors

Aluminum traysa little water)plastic knives

Aluminum foildirtspatula’s

BowlsKrispie cerealbubbles

Beanspaint brushes

Waterplastic eggs

Gritsrakes

Popsicle sticks

Ladles

Small vinyl toys

Children love to find hidden toys, finger draw or draw with tool (stick,etc.), dig, scoop, rake, pour, squish, squeeze, grab handfuls of, roll, make shapes (playdough), float things, sink things, fill, shake, slice, cut, drip it, spread it, wash it, mix it, brush it, etc.

All children will enjoy:

  1. Nature walks to collect items, feel new things
  2. Play in the snow
  3. Playgrounds that have a variety of different equipment
  4. Listening to and “dancing” to music
  5. Imitation to children’s songs
  6. Bath play with cups, plastic bottles, vinyl cut-outs, sponges, basters. Older kids like soap crayons, shaving cream on wall.
  7. Playing in boxes (with doors, windows)
  8. Toys that make noise or have visual stimulation
  9. Rides in wagons, being pulled on a blanket or towel on the floor
  10. Balls (different sizes and textures)
  11. Obstacle courses where child crawls, walks, etc. Ideas: crawl under chairs/tables, step over small obstacles, step on large blocks or carpet squares, hop over rope, step in/out of small laundry basket, toss beanbags at a target, walk on/over pillow, walk on wide tape line, go down small slide, go through box tunnel, walk in/out or around hula hoop, roll on floor, step up/down on stool, etc. Be creative!

Compiled by Occupational Therapy Department

Union Co. Schools, Monroe, NC