Why Do We Incorporate Sensory Play at Our Ashburn Preschool?

Sensory Play is an important part of learning in the 3 to 6 year age group.

From the very first day they are born, children are designed to explore the world using their five senses. Hence the reason babies and toddlers touch everything and put it in their mouths. Children’s senses are their most familiar and most basic way to explore and process new information. At our Ashburn preschool, we find ways to incorporate sensory play into our curriculum every day.

What Is Sensory Play?

Sensory play is any activity that stimulates your child’s senses: touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight, and hearing. This helps their young minds understand and process the world around them as they grow.

Why Is It Important to Incorporate Sensory Play at Our Ashburn Preschool?

As children develop, they have an innate curiosity about their environment. They start using their five senses to interpret what’s happening around them. This is essentially the first learning they start in their young lives.

In addition to the five senses, there are two other senses that are commonly missed:

Sorting different textures, by touch alone.
Sorting different textures, by touch alone.

Body awarenessthe feedback your child’s brain receives from stretch receptors in their muscles and pressure receptors in the joints. This enables them to gain a sense of where their bodies are in space.

Balancestimulation of the vestibular system of the inner ear. This tells them their body position in relation to gravity.

Sensory Play Includes Hands-On Activities!

Sensory play enhances learning through hands-on activities that stimulate your child’s senses. What a great way for children to explore the world they live in! Furthermore, sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways consequently leading to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks.

It also supports cognitive growth, language development, gross motor skills, social interaction, and problem-solving skills. Children explore their world with sensory exploration through examining, discovering, and categorizing. At our Ashburn preschool, we believe it is beneficial to provide many opportunities for sensory play. Our students loved making the Jungle Slime which is a great example of how we use sensory play in a fun way!

Using different textures to create a wonderful art piece.
Using different textures to create a wonderful art piece.

Sensory Play Supports Language Skills.

When children play with different types of textures and objects it helps them to find new ways to communicate with others.

All of a sudden the leaves outside are more than just leavesthey can be crunchy during the winter and smooth and warm during spring and summer. Water isn’t just wetit turns into a gas when it boils, it can be cold, or it can be solid when frozen. Sensory play expands a child’s language by providing a new understanding of the world they live in.

 

 

We Create an Environment at Our Ashburn Preschool for Sensory Play.

It is important for children to have a range of sensory play activities available to them. The aim of our Ashburn Preschool is to provide a sensory experience that meets the individual needs of a child in a fun and flexible learning environment.

Most of all, sensory play provides an opportunity for every child to succeed. Children who struggle academically can find comfort in sensory play. Just the simple act of running their fingers through sand or a fluffy blanket can, as a result of sensory play, have a calming effect on them.

Doesn’t this sound like a great way for your child to spend their day? Exploring and experiencing new things every day using all their senses? We think so! Find out more about our Summer Camp in Ashburn by scheduling a tour today. Keep in touch by following our Facebook page for more amazing pictures!

 

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