As children grow and develop, they learn to use all their senses to explore and discover more about the world around them! One of the best and most enjoyable ways to promote sensory development is through play.
Sensory toys are designed to encourage babies and children to explore and investigate using the 5 senses. For babies, these toys can help create an awareness of different textures and surfaces, helping little ones as they develop touch discrimination and fine motor skills.
Sensory tools can also help promote focus and concentration, allowing children to receive the sensory input they need in a discreet and supportive manner.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO GIVE YOUR BABY DIFFERENT TEXTURES?
"Babies and children learn about their environment and the world they live in through their senses. The sensation of touch is so important in gathering information. Providing different textures for your baby and child to explore, will help them to develop touch discrimination over time. They will develop an awareness of deep pressure and light pressure, bumpy and smooth, wet and dry, cold and hot, soft and hard, heavy and light. Babies and children learn through playful touch. Encouraging your child to explore through play will provide opportunities for them to learn about themselves and the world around them"-
Cindy, OT from YourKidsOt
HOW CAN THE JELLYSTONE SENSORY BALL BE USED A SENSORY TOOL FOR BABIES?
"My favourite sensory tools are ones that are mouldable and these are just that. You can squeeze, pull, squish and it always goes back to its original shape. Another element that is great is that with their size, you can easily take them with you so a sensory tool on the go"
HOW CAN THE COLOUR WHEEL HELP WITH EARLY DEVELOPMENT?
"A fun, brightly coloured puzzle that is soft on the hands- giving it that visually engaging appeal combined with the sensory element makes it a great tool to explore the senses. Could be used as a grounding tool when little ones are having big feelings, getting them to touch and play with the puzzle and notice the colours."
- Monique, The Mindful Psychologist
HOW CAN VISUAL TOYS HELP WITH SELF-REGULATION?
"The visual sensory system is a very important part of the whole sensory system.
Looking at something that moves in a rhythmic way is known to reduce stress, help us to regulate breathing, and feel calmer and more regulated"
- Taryn, OT from MyDiffability
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A CALM DOWN BOTTLE?
"My absolutely favourite tool! I love that these are reusable, come in different colour options and can be used with different filler items to capture children's interests. These bottles are a great mindfulness and sensory tool that we know can encourage emotional regulation when combined with calm breathing techniques. Calm bottles are my most used and most popular items with children and teens in counselling"
- Monique, The Mindful Psychologist
HOW CAN CHEWING HELP WITH FOCUS, ANXIETY AND SELF-REGULATION?
"Our brains also receive lots of ​proprioceptive​ information from the joint of the jaw as we bite and chew different foods that provide different types of resistance. Oral sensory input can affect a child’s levels of attention and potentially even change behaviors, helping a child become more organized and responsive."
- Taryn, OT from MyDiffability
HOW CAN OUR CHEW PENDANTS HELP CHILDREN DEAL WITH BIG EMOTIONS?
"I love these. When I come across children and teens who chew their school uniform shirt collars, I always suggest silicone pendants! I suggest parents get these for their child because chewing can be a form of anxiety, sensory dysregulation (particularly for children/teens on the spectrum) and a way of managing overwhelm. So instead of chewing clothes, or headphone cords, chewing a silicone pendant is a way to channel this behaviour."
- Monique, The Mindful Psychologist
