Play & Progress​

Sensory play involves activities that stimulate a baby’s senses: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell.
It’s not just about fun and games (though it’s certainly that too!). It’s about helping babies explore and make sense of the world around them.
Sensory play can be as simple as feeling different textures or as complex as interactive sensory toys that engage multiple senses simultaneously.
Now that we know what it is, is it actually important for baby development? It turns out, it is! Here’s why:

1. Cognitive Development:
When babies explore different textures, smells, and sounds, they start to learn about cause and effect, and begin to understand the world around them.

2. Language Skills:
While they can’t talk quite yet, simply hearing different words and sounds while they play with sensory toys (even if they can’t understand you!) helps develop their language skills.

3. Fine Motor Skills:
Manipulating small objects, feeling different textures, or splashing water during sensory play helps strengthen fine motor skills. These activities require precision and coordination, which are essential for tasks like grasping and holding.

4. Emotional Regulation:
Activities like feeling soft textures or listening to gentle sounds can help babies manage their emotions and reduce fussiness. It’s a great way for them to learn self-soothing techniques!

5. Social Interaction:
When babies engage in sensory play with parent(s), they learn to share attention, take turns, and communicate effectively. In turn, this helps foster bonding between them while developing early social skills.

With so many sensory toys out there, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for your baby. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

1. Safety First:
Make sure any toy you give your baby is made of non-toxic materials and is sturdy enough to withstand baby’s exploration. Look for toys that are easy to clean, especially if they’re likely to end up in baby’s mouth.

2. Versatility:
Open-ended toys that can be used in multiple ways, like stacking rings or grabbing toys, encourage creativity and can be used in various play scenarios.

3. Encourage Independence:
While it’s great to play together, babies also benefit from figuring things out on their own. Toys that don’t require constant adult intervention and encourage independence are a good bet.

Now that you know sensory play is essential for baby’s development, how about some of our favourite recommendations for sensory baby toys? Here are some tried-and-true sensory toys that parents and babies adore:

1. Soft Textured Blankets:
These provide endless opportunities for feeling different textures and are perfect for tummy time.

2. Play mats
Colourful and interactive play mats often come with different textures, attached toys, and sounds, making them excellent for sensory exploration and engaging a baby’s sense of sight, touch, and hearing.

3. Musical Mobiles:
Mobiles with gentle sounds and moving parts introduce babies to the world of sound and visual tracking.

4. Rattles
Rattles that create soothing sounds engage a baby’s auditory senses and are great for learning cause and effect – bonus points if it has bright colours!

5. Grabbing toys
Grabbing toys with different textures and shapes help babies develop their grasping skills and improve hand-eye coordination. These toys often come with features like crinkly fabric, soft rubber, and various grips to keep babies engaged.