Sensory Play for Preschoolers What It is and Why It is Essential
One of the first things people notice when they walk into our preschool classrooms is the buzz of joyful activity. Children are scooping, pouring, squishing, stacking, and exploring with their whole bodies. To an outsider, it might just look like play, but we know something powerful is happening. This is sensory play and it is one of the most important parts of early childhood development.
Sensory play is any activity that engages a child’s senses: touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. It also includes movement and balance. These experiences help children process information about the world around them and lay the groundwork for learning, creativity, and emotional regulation.
Why Sensory Play Matters
Children are naturally curious. They want to touch, smell, hear and explore everything. This curiosity is not random, it is how their brains are wired to grow. When we offer activities that allow children to use their senses, we are helping them strengthen connections in the brain. These connections are critical for developing language, motor skills, problem solving, and even social skills.
For example, when a child plays with water and notices the difference between warm and cold or fast and slow pouring, they are building an understanding of scientific concepts. When they squeeze playdough or dig in sand, they are strengthening their hand muscles, which supports future writing skills. When they swirl paint or listen to the sound of rice in a shaker, they are learning to observe, compare and describe. All of this supports cognitive development while also allowing children to express themselves and feel calm and focused.
Sensory Play and Emotional Growth
One of the most beautiful benefits of sensory play is the way it supports emotional development. Many children find comfort and relaxation in sensory activities. Running their fingers through a sensory bin, squeezing a stress ball, or playing with water can help them release tension and regulate big feelings.
These kinds of activities also encourage focus and mindfulness. You will often see a child completely absorbed in pouring beans from one cup to another or carefully painting with their fingers. These moments help children practice concentration and develop a senso of independence and calm.
Simple Sensory Ideas for Home and School
You do not need fancy toys or a lot of space to bring sensory play into your child’s day. Some of the best activities can be done with everyday materials you already have at home.
Here are a few ideas:
- Fill a plastic bin with dry rice, oats, or beans and add scoops, cups, and small toys for burying and discovering.
- Let your child explore shaving cream on a tray with their fingers or toy cars
- Add a few drops of food coloring to water and let them mix colors with spoons or eyedroppers
- Create a “touch and feel” bad with soft, rough, smooth, and bumpy objects inside
- Play with bubbles, water balloons, or sponges in the bathtub or outside.
Always supervise these activities and adjust them based on your child’s age and needs. The goal is to provide open ended experiences that encourage creativity, discovery, and play.
At our preschool, sensory play is built into our daily routine because we know how essential it is for learning and growth. We create safe, engaging environments where children can explore their senses, follow their curiosity, and build the skills they need to thrive.
So, the next time you see your child elbow deep in a messy sensory bin or lost in the magic of finger paint, know that they are not just playing, they are growing in every way.