Starting Sensory Play 101

So you’re ready to start sensory play with your babe and aren’t sure where to start? Whether you’ve got a young toddler or a preschooler new to play, I’m so glad you’re here and am in your corner the whole time. I can identify with all the potential chaotic situations, messy clean up, and redirections that we can catastrophize in our heads (but for real, ask my husband, I’m the expert on worst case scenarios…), but want to reassure you that this is a rhythm that doesn’t have to go there. It can bring hours of meaningful engagement with your child doing their most important work, PLAY. 

You want to get started because you know about the benefits. You might know that the first three years are crucial to a child’s development and the sensory experiences presented to them help form these brain synapses. You might know it improves fine motor skills, attention span, communication, self-control, and creativity. You might even know it increases their sensory threshold, allowing them to tolerate different sensory stimuli in their worlds. And those are just some of the incredible benefits. 

“Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.” I believe this is relevant when thinking of our changing routines this year in terms of school, staying with a new babysitter, going to school, or tolerating that vegetable that you’ve put on their plate 500 times. Or even playing appropriately with a play dough kit or sensory bin. They are capable. They can do this. YOU can do this.

You’re here because you want the best for your child. And guess what, they’re already ahead because they’ve got you in their corner. So while I plan to go way more into depth in my Learning Their Way with Sensory Play ECourse (and hope you’ll join us there in a few short weeks), here are a few tips to get you started. 

Choose your filler wisely.

You want something engaging and something taste-safe, but not something that your child will confuse with snack time or want to eat. Noodles, cereal, pudding are all a no-go for first exposures. You’re not going to want something like slime or cloud dough made with baby oil, all things we don’t want going in bub’s mouth. Rather, you want something that if it does happen to find it’s way into an inquisitive toddler’s mouth, you can rest assured they’ll be okay. 

I recommend starting with something incredibly simple (and free!), like water and a few tools for pouring and scooping and squirting. Peep this little bub and the reason I even have this rule in the first place. Putting one of her favorite early foods in a bin wasn’t the smartest idea I’ve had! 

Choose your environment carefully.

If you’re going with water, or even colored water, you’ll want to set it up in a place where you feel good about it spilling. Because, let’s be honest, it will. Take that bin or table outdoors to the grass. Your babe will get some sunshine and there will be no sweat when some finds its way to the grass. If you are indoors, grab a sheet, drop cloth, Gathre mat, or something to cover your floors that will make clean up a breeze!

Remain close and expect redirection.

Like with any new skill or expectation, it’s going to need to lovingly and firmly be restated multiple times. Remind your child of what’s expected of them before play begins. Additionally, stay close enough to stop it and give a friendly reminder. “Oh, you were about to take the water out of the bin! Don’t forget, water stays here!” Since it is their first go, I’d be lenient and give a few reminders because we want play to last more than 0.5 seconds, and let them try a few times, but if it seems like they cannot keep the filler in the bin, you will lovingly and firmly tell them that our play is over because water must stay in the bin and we will try another time. No punishment, no shame. Just an acknowledgement of where they’re at and where you’ll meet them!

Alternatively, you can also ask them if they are trying to tell you they are all done playing. “I see you keep wanting to dump water on the ground. Water stays in the bin. Are you trying to tell Mommy that you are all done?” This is similar to a little one who is throwing their plate on the floor. They truly might just not have the words to say, “Mommy, I’m all done eating!” Give your little one the benefit of the doubt that they are trying their best and support them with language.

Redirect and follow through.

No matter the age, we won’t do our kids any favors by being lenient on some expectations and enforcing other ones. The follow through is hard if we know there is going to be a falling apart, but we must enforce. If we want to help build their self-discipline muscle and have success (and less mess) during sensory play, your follow through is vital. They will certainly express their disapproval, but your immediate follow through will cut the time down that you are having to spend managing them drastically! You are setting a foundation for ALL the sensory play for years to come and the important lesson that there is follow through. 

Reflect on their play later in the day.

“Gosh, playing in the water bin was really fun, wasn’t it? You scooped and you poured and you filled the bottle all the way to the top! What was your favorite part?” Brag on your child in front of your child to the other parent, maybe over dinner. “Julie used her listening ears and thinking brain to keep her water in the water bin today. I loved listening to her talk and watching her play with the water!” Create anticipation of getting to play in the sensory bin again soon! 

Friend, I hope this gives you a nice springboard to start off with in your sensory play journey. So proud of you for doing the hard work of beginning. If this was helpful, I truly believe that you’ll find our ecourse a valuable tool for your family as you continue with this rhythm! Be sure and sign up to preregister using the link above!