Pretend play was my daughters favourite! She loved nothing more than barbies, babies, teddies, doctors sets, play kitchens… Whatever we were playing, it was make believe and she had a very firm storyline I wasn’t allowed to deviate from! Anyone else been there?
Sensory play to the rescue!
Don’t get me wrong, spending time playing with my kids has been an absolute joy but there really is only so much make-believe a grown adult can participate in without feeling a little under-stimulated (aka bored!) Bare in mind the pinnacle of this kind of play for her was happening in 2020 – the dreaded year where we were all stuck inside with our toddlers all day …every day! I needed a break from eating at her very strict restaurant, being a patient at her very strict doctors surgery or playing all the supporting roles in her ever more elaborate game of barbies! So, sensory play came to the rescue!
It doesn’t need to be complicated
One day, I got a tea tray out of the cupboard and emptied a bag of rice into it! I added a couple of her plastic bowls and my baking cup-measures and the rest is history! We sat together and scooped and poured, chatted and sung little songs as we played and found a whole new way to spend time together! Over the coming months we found all kinds of sensory bases and added some of her much loved toys into the mix too but it was the fact that we were both getting enjoyment out of it that made it magical! It was both relaxing and stimulating to us at different points, it kept her engaged and kept me from losing my mind! When I mention the bonding opportunities our sessions provide, this is what I’m talking about!
4 great reasons to give it a go
1. Bonding!
In those early years when sleep is scarce and interrupted I found myself getting so drowsy whilst trying to play! I remember lying on the floor bobbing Barbie’s up and down trying to follow the storyline and just longing to doze off!! With sensory play there is something to stimulate you both so you can enjoy playing equally. It levels the playing field as you explore together. Your little one will love seeing you enjoy playing rather than enduring it, this is so great for your relationship.
2. The chance to be creative (without having to keep endless squiggles on the page that they can’t bear to part with!)
My daughter is forever creating things, she’s amazing! There’s so much she wants to keep but taking the creativity to a level that is more about exploration than the final product helps you both! There is less for you to find a home for and there is the chance for them to build some resilience for trying things again and again without the pressure of wanting to get the picture just ‘right’! Or is that just my intense kid, with her big emotions?! Try using your craft supplies with a blob of playdough… you’ll thank me later!
3. It’s so great for their development on so many levels!
You can feel really good about the opportunities you’re giving them! In a world of screen time, mountains of shiny plastic toys and dolls giving mixed messages about ‘perfection’ it helps to have tools in your back pockets to get kids back to being kids! What says ‘kids being kids’ more than kids making messes! If the mess makes you cringe just sacrifice a fitted sheet, pull it tight by putting chair legs, toy boxes or teddies in the elasticated corners and set up your own little messy play pen! Check out this Instagram post on how…
4. Increasing attention spans!
Little people have little attention spans, something that stimulates the senses will help engage them for longer periods of time. Open ended play that they can really get their hands into can go on and on! Ever thought about how long your little one wants to stay in the bath for? It’s because it’s an immersive sensory experience! Their whole bodies and all kinds of senses are getting involved so their little brains are busy working and growing meaning their attention span is increasing!
Conclusion
So, sensory play is absolutely a parent’s best friend! It’ll get you out of the endless storyline cycle of pretend play! It gives you the opportunity to have new experiences together! You both get to exercise creativity! It’ll give you ways to play together as soon as they’re born right up until the sheer thought of playing with you causes them to recoil with embarrassment! PLUS and this is a seriously big PLUS … it’ll help you to get them playing independently! But that’s a story for another time…
Our sessions are intentionally straightforward so that parents can recreate the activities in their own ways at home. We always give playtime tips and explain why the activities are beneficial to your little ones. You can join us, see just how simple it really is and get some ideas to try at home! (Or come play with us and I’ll clean up the mess for you if you really can’t get on board with the mess-making 😜) Get your Free Trial today!