Across Quaggy Development Trust, we run Sensory play sessions for babies and toddlers under the age of 2 years old. Our sensory play activities stimulate children’s senses, their hearing, touch, smell, taste and sight through a range of activities.
From birth, babies are processing lots of new information and a great way to do this is through their senses. It has been proven that learning with more than one sense has many cognitive and educational benefits for all learners, as different sensory stimuli help the brain to create stronger connections needed for brain development.
Across Quaggy Development Trust, our emphasis is on building and stimulating children’s all-round development as we recognise the value and benefits of early development in the early years. We know that the first 1001 days are critical and a unique period for babies that set the foundations for lifelong physical and emotional wellbeing, therefore our Sensory Play activities are underpinned by the Early Years Foundation Stage philosophy which supports the following:
- Sensory play activities build nerve connections in the brain, which enable children to complete more complex tasks over time.
- They can also support language development, cognitive growth, gross and fine motor skill development, and improved problem-solving skills.
- Sensory play activities really help to enhance a child’s memory.
- They are great for calming a child who may be anxious or frustrated at something. Sensory play can help to cultivate mindfulness and being present; an excellent strategy in the toolbox for calming the nervous system.
- Completing sensory play activities will support children with their learning of sensory attributes.
Our Sensory Play activities also give babies and toddlers the opportunity to explore new textures, toys and materials which naturally helps them to play, investigate and make sense of the world around them.
Some of the activities we provide at Quaggy Children Centres Sensory Play sessions are treasure baskets with a range of different textures and smells, sensory story books, bubbles, messy play activities such as painting/cornflour/jellibath, sand activities, water play activities and lots more. Find out about all our sessions here.
Kheeima Stewart
