SI Resources September 2023: The Importance of Play
By Sensory Integration Education, 29 September 2023
This month we're focusing on the importance of play and sensory play. Play is pivotal to all learning and there’s no doubt that sensory play is a huge source of play-based learning and development in children. In this month's SI Resources, we’ve curated a number of guides, articles, books and product ideas to help us understand more about the benefits of play and sensory play activities for children and adults.
Importance of Play in Early Childhood – this blog from Parenting for Brain looks at nine benefits of play in child development as well as reviewing research results that highlight the importance of children’s play.
What Is Sensory Play? The Benefits for Your Child and Sensory Play Ideas – this article from Cleveland Clinic looks at the benefits of sensory play and activities that engage a child’s senses, helping them to learn and grow.
Want to Live Longer? Play with Your Grandkids. It’s Good for Them Too – this interesting article from the Washington Post highlights research that suggests that active, one-on-one playtime provides health benefits for young and old, and helps them appreciate one another
The Importance of Play with Newborns - play at an early age not only helps a newborn’s cognitive development but also their physical and emotional development. This BBC article looks at the importance of play for newborns and how incorporating play into their routine with small, everyday interactions like cuddle time is a great way to start!
Nine Super Simple Ways to Encourage Creative Play – creative play is crucial for child development and this blogpost by Begin Learning explores the benefits of creative play or children and shares helpful tips on how to encourage children to engage in this type of play.
Sensory Play Ideas for Toddlers or Preschoolers – from parenting.com, this article looks at fun and educational sensory play activities for toddlers or preschoolers with a roundup for every age.
SIE’s Free Back to School Sensory Survival Kit – packed with helpful tips, product suggestions and the best advice from our sensory experts on preparing to start or return to school, our guide will help those experiencing sensory integration or sensory processing differences better prepare for a new school year.
Books and Product Ideas
 |
Playful Wonders This activity book* is full of simple, easily accessible, sensory play ideas for any and all occasions, featuring everything you need to feed a child's curiosity and inject more play into their day. Using household items, with photographs of each activity and easy-to-follow instructions, it's never been easier for children to interact imaginatively with their environment. What's more, each activity has a teachable moment in store! |
|
|
Sensory Adventures: A Guide to Increasing Literacy Through Sensory PlayIn this book*, each activity will guide you as a parent, adult or educator with step-by-step instructions on what supplies you need, a scripted message to read, adult tips and read-alouds that tie in with each activity. |
|
|
Sensory Play for Toddlers and Pre-SchoolersThis book* is a practical, hands-on guide for parents and educators who want to inject more play into a child's day! Inside the book, there are forty easy sensory play activities with extra bonus ideas for extending the activities even further! |
|
|
Pop ToobsThis multi-functional toy available from Southpaw, a SIE preferred supplier, will bring hours of fun and creativity to your clients. This set of 6 bendy, stretchy plastic tubes fit together to make different shapes and offer tactile sensations with their rigid bodies. Your clients can also listen to the noise they make as they twirl them, pull them and push them! |
|
GIGI BLOKS Big Building BlocksThis set of 96 large building blocks* are excellent for developing motor planning and problem-solving skills. Extra durable, the blocks interlock, meaning children can build something with them that won’t topple over! |
|
Tom Tags – First-Then (At School) Kit & Share How I Feel TagThis Tom Tags First-Then (At School) kit from sensooli, a SIE preferred supplier, will help children develop coping strategies to manage their day. The colourful sturdy tags, click-in buttons and symbol stickers help to create basic school routine schedules, teach simple sequencing, task ordering and time management and encourage completion of less-preferred activities with the First/Then/Next concept. |
|
*Affiliate link: SIE may earn a commission (at zero cost to you) when you purchase by clicking on an affiliate link. NB: Sensory Integration Education is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Integration Education. | |
