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Yeah for Sensory Play!
Here at Best Start Pleasant Point, sensory play forms a very important part of our tamariki's day. Children experience a lot of learning when they use their senses and it allows them to learn new vocabulary as they play together. Terminologies like warm and cold, sticky, smooth , bumpy, soft and hard are only a few examples.
Our tamariki enjoy to explore a variety of sensory play and if there is a WOW effect, like when they get a response after adding vinegar to baking soda, it is even better. They often use their whole bodies to explore, with arms and faces all getting into the fun. Having a sensory play tray right at the door and ensuring that we keep it exciting has also become a great settling tool for our younger tamariki.
This is exactly the distraction they need to give their parents the opportunity to make drop-offs a more pleasant experience. We have also recently extended our messy play experience by adding a messy play table! This allows us to have a double impact. We can now utilize the table by adding just a pure sensory experience without any supporting tools whilst still have playdough in the tray with cutters rolling pins and the like.
Sensory play is a wonderful tool to support tamariki that are new in the room and trying to still develop their sense of belonging. It is also a great opportunity for them to make connections with new and old friends and to learn important skills such as sharing and turn taking, all while they are having fun! At Best Start Pleasant Point, we say Yeah for sensory play!