Sensory Toys or Activities & Their Importance
Sensory Toys or Activities & Their Importance
Who knew that sensory play can play such an important role in a child’s development. As parents, we are always trying to think about the development of our children, even the toys that are around today focus on development. And the options are pretty much limitless. But, if your kid or kids are anything like Jameson is, they get bored pretty quickly with some of their toys. And buying new ones all the time can get pretty pricey. Sure, you always have the option of getting your son or daughter a tablet or sit them in front of Cocomelon or some other kids show to entertain them (which Jameson does neither of). But is that really stimulating their little brains, or helping them to develop better motor skills. Most likely the answer is no.
All of sensory these toys and activities mentioned in this post do play an important role in development. These activities can help your child get used to different types of textures, tastes, and smells. Starting these activities early on will help them later on in life. Think about something you don’t like to touch, just the thought about it gives you goosebumps. Now imagine if that texture was something you played with a child, do you still think it would give you goosebumps? Hopefully not. Now I’m not saying that sensory toys and activities will make your child love every kind of texture, taste, or smell, but it could help them not be in occupational therapy later on in life because they won’t touch grass or some other kind of basic object.
So then, what is the solution to these problems? There is always a quick google search to find some solutions. Or, you can head over to this awesome website I found called My Bored Toddler which is run by a mother of two in Australia. And this site is filled with over 200 + ideas for ages one to three. Over on her Instagram page, she offers some free printouts and sensory play ideas for any season. We have tried a few with Jameson and he seemed to have enjoyed them for a few minutes before that toddler ADD kicked in and he was on to the next activity.
The activities that we have tried with Jameson are colored rice in a tub. He didn’t really care for this one too much. He played with it for a little bit and moved the rice around with his toy cars. He even got into the tub and walked on the rice. The second activity we tried is a bit messy, so I suggest doing this one outside, or with some towels or plastic down. It was a tub of sugar-free jello. This was a massive hit with him for about 10 minutes. He would run his hands through the Jello, grabbing it and throwing it around. He would eat some of it, and at one point he even put his foot into it. The only thing I would change for the next time is making more Jello and filling up or tin tub a bit more.
But the activity Jameson loves the most is the water table that my wife was able to find for free on the FB marketplace. It’s missing some of the parts, but just filling it with some water and toys and he will play with it for 30 minutes or more. He loves to take things out of it and give them to us so we can put them back in the water. And he loves splashing around in the water most of all. The water table that he has minus the extra stuff can be found here for about $44. If you don’t have one, I would suggest getting one. I was skeptical at first if Jameson would even play with it since he’s barely one, but it has to be one of the most used toys he has.
