"Sensory play " is considered one of the "hundred languages." In the Reggio Emilia approach. Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, introduced the concept of the "hundred languages" This phrase comes from the belief that children have many different ways of expressing themselves and understanding the world around them.
During sensory play, children are encouraged to explore and engage with materials that stimulate their senses. They can use their sense of touch, smell, sight, hearing, and sometimes taste to interact with various materials. The language of sensory allows children to express themselves and make connections with the world through hands-on experiences.
Sensory materials are thoughtfully selected to promote exploration, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Educators and parents can set up classrooms and home environments to invite children to explore this language.
Designing Thoughtful Sensory Invitations
Sensory play thrives in an environment designed to invite exploration. Here are some ideas to create sensory-rich experiences:
Sensory Stations: Set up areas with diverse materials like sand, water, rice, playdough, natural objects, or light and shadow resources. Ensure materials are open-ended to spark children’s creativity and inquiry.
Nature-Inspired Materials: Incorporate natural elements like leaves, pebbles, herbs, and flowers to connect children with the environment. Scented plants or textures like bark and moss offer multisensory engagement.
Loose Parts: Provide materials like fabric swatches, reflective items, beads, or shells for children to manipulate, sort, and transform in imaginative ways.
Unlocking Language Through the Power of Sensory Play.
Using "sensory language" during sensory play invitations encourages children's engagement and expression while building their vocabulary, narrative, and comparative language skills. Through open-ended prompts, children explore descriptive words and deeper thinking. Children develop a rich language repertoire by integrating sensory play into daily routines, fostering communication and literacy.
The language of sensory offers numerous benefits both at home and in the classroom. It promotes cognitive development by stimulating brain activity and enhancing memory while also fostering emotional regulation and expression.
Sensory experiences support language development by expanding vocabulary and encouraging communication, enhancing social interaction through shared experiences.
This type of play is inclusive, accommodating diverse learning styles and special needs while stimulating creativity, problem-solving, and physical development.
Additionally, sensory activities foster mindfulness, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being, making them valuable tools for holistic growth in children.
Integrating sensory-rich experiences into everyday routines, both at home and in the classroom, offers children a valuable tool for learning and development. Whether through simple activities such as exploring various textures or more organized sensory-based learning tasks, these experiences are crucial for fostering well-rounded, confident learners. Embracing sensory language is an investment in a child's holistic development, with lasting benefits throughout their lives.
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