Most parents prioritize giving their children the most comfortable and safest space, especially when they are playing. Note that kids use their senses so they can interact with the world surrounding them even at a very early age. In this case, sensory-enriched environments and surroundings can be of help to them.
With a sensory-friendly room or environment, whether it is at home, in the park, playground, or at school, your child will feel safer and more secure. It also enhances learning and motivates them to participate in different forms of play.
What is a Sensory-Enriched Environment for Kids?
A sensory-enriched environment is any space where kids can engage their senses even without the need for toys. The main reason is that all the elements in the room work to engage your child’s senses, like sight, smell, touch, and sound.
If you have a spare room or space in your home, for instance, then you can turn it into a sensory-enriched environment that specifically works for your child. Basically, this kind of environment refers to a space that you can change in such a way that it becomes more soothing and calming to the senses.
If the space becomes sensory-enriched, then it means that it is also effective in activating your senses, especially children. It should be noted that apart from the basic senses, namely hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste, the environment can also harness your internal bodily sense as well as your sense of balance and movement.
The same senses will be improved in kids regardless of age. What’s great about having this sensory-rich environment whether in school or at home is that it enhances brain development. Remember that kids learn through practice, observation, and interaction, which is why it is a must to give them a rich learning environment.
With the help of one’s basic senses, it is possible to get in touch with the world around and obtain information regarding the surroundings. Through proper sensory integration, your child can make all their senses work together as a means of organizing details.
It can also help them navigate the environment surrounding them with the least effort and hassle. By creating a sensory-enriched environment for your child, you will be able to cultivate a safe space for them that they can use for effective sensory exploration depending on their unique needs.
Benefits of Creating a Sensory-Enriched Environment
As a means of motivating you to build a sensory-enriched environment for your child, here are the specific benefits of having one in your space.
Encourages sensory exploration beyond playtime
One positive effect of building a sensory-enriched environment for your kid is that it can motivate them to explore using their senses even if their playtime is already over. The reason is that a sensory-enriched environment goes beyond actual toys.
Just simply being in that particular environment would be enough to activate your child’s senses. In other words, they get to enjoy proper sensory exploration even after playtime.
Enhances overall well-being
Another positive benefit of enriching a particular space in your home with sensory experiences is that it can improve your child’s overall well-being and health. It supports and assists with proper brain development. In addition, you get to have lower levels of stress and anxiety through this.
If your child has a problem with overstimulation, then creating a sensory-enriched environment for them is a must. After you have created one, it will be easier for your child to focus, concentrate, learn, and play.
Provides a holistic approach to sensory development
Through a sensory-enriched environment, your child can develop and hone their senses holistically. In other words, the approach is all-natural. It is also specifically complete since you can develop it based on the unique sensory needs and requirements of your child.
It is also holistic since it just involves designing the play area and bedroom so both will be sensory-friendly, forming a quiet and relaxing space for them, wearing sensory-friendly clothing, utilizing visual cues, and making some adjustments on lighting.
By integrating all these elements, you will be on your way toward giving your child the kind of sensory experience that will support their overall development.
3 Recommended Practices for Creating a Sensory-enriched Environment
For you to start giving your child a sensory-enriched environment, it is advisable to focus on the following highly recommended and suggested practices:
Design and create a sensory-friendly bedroom
Your child’s bedroom is the specific place where they spend a substantial amount of time. With that in mind, you should be able to create a sensory-enriched bedroom for them – one that will promote better sleep, lower levels of anxiety, and more relaxation.
Fortunately, there are several ways for you to create a bedroom for your child that’s designed to activate and engage their senses. One is to invest in a weighted blanket that your child can use anytime they need deep pressure. You may also want to use blackout curtains as they are effective in blocking out noise and light.
Other things that you can do to give your child an incredible sensory-friendly bedroom include the following:
- Using comfortable and soft pillows and bedding
- Using a soothing, calm, and relaxing color scheme – As much as possible, use blue as it is calming and pleasing to the eyes. You may also use shades or accents of purple or green as these colors can help set the right tone for relaxation and calmness.
- Avoiding perfumes and scents that are too overpowering for your kid’s sense of smell
Incorporate sensory elements in the classroom
Your child will also love learning in the classroom if there are sensory elements being integrated into the space. What’s great about a sensory-enriched classroom is that it can also establish an inclusive and positive learning space for your child.
Before integrating sensory elements into the space, you have to fully understand what it means to have a sensory-friendly or sensory-enriched classroom. You also have to be aware of the actual purpose of building one.
In general, this type of classroom alters a couple of important things. The first one is the actual classroom space while the second is all about the learning experience. The space should be designed with inclusivity in mind, making it possible for different types of students to take part in it.
To create sensory-friendly classrooms, the following should be present:
- Lower amount of clutter
- Muted shades or colors
- Tennis balls or any other item you can see at the bottom of the chairs
- Natural light
- The presence of fidget toys as well as other sensory toys
Provide DIY sensory activities
Research about the different DIY sensory activities guaranteed to keep your kids engaged and entertained. Look for activities that require things you can easily find and access at home.
One example is hand painting, which only requires a couple of objects, including paint, old clothes, and paper. Upon gathering these items, prepare a tray so you can place different paint colors there.
Look for old clothes that you can wear, which you can use in exploring the paint and using it for hand painting. Your child will also have fun as they get engaged into ice play. This activity requires you to gather water, ice, snap lock bags, and tape that you can use for sticking the bags to the floor.
What you have to do first is to put the ice in bags. Water should then be added over it. Once done, begin by closing each bag while pushing out air. This makes it possible for the ice to bounce around as the bag is being touched.
It is also a good idea to create a taste-safe foam. For this DIY sensory activity, you have to gather one tin of chickpeas and around one-fourth tsp. cream of tartar. There is also an optional ingredient, the food color.
Now, it is time to make the sensory foam. Ensure that you drain the chickpeas first (make it a point to reserve its liquid). Once done, it is time to add the cream of tartar and if you want, some food color. With the help of an electric mixer, beat the ingredients using high speed until a foam is formed.
Conclusion
A sensory-enriched environment is truly beneficial for your child’s development. Note that naturally, kids would want to engage themselves in sensory play. Ensure that you give them encouragement and support by providing and creating sensory learning environments at home.
Aim to maximize their sensory experiences, too. You can do that by using proper lighting, outdoor and indoor environments, and appropriate spaces for open-ended interactions and exploration.