Introduction: Why Sensory Play Matters from the Very Start
From the very first days of life, children learn about the world through their senses. Whether it is the warmth of a caregiver’s touch, the sound of a lullaby, or the light filtering through the curtains, every sensory experience plays a role in shaping the developing brain. Sensory play is not simply a form of entertainment. It is one of the most powerful tools we have to support early cognitive, emotional, and physical growth.
At Starshine Montessori, sensory-rich activities are woven into the daily rhythm of every classroom, beginning in infancy. Through touch, movement, sound, sight, and even smell, children build neural connections that lay the foundation for future skills in language, social understanding, attention, and problem-solving. The Montessori method places great importance on engaging the senses as the gateway to the mind, particularly in the early years when the brain is most adaptable.
In this article, we will explore what sensory play really means, how it activates and organises the brain, and why it is critical during the most sensitive windows of early development. We will also share practical ways to integrate sensory experiences at home and describe how our educators at Starshine Montessori guide sensory learning with purpose and care.
Let us begin with the basics: what is sensory play, and how does it differ from ordinary play?
What Is Sensory Play?
Simple definition and common activities
Sensory play refers to any activity that stimulates a child’s senses. These include the five primary senses—touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell as well as two additional systems that are especially important in early development: the vestibular (balance and movement) and proprioceptive (body awareness) senses.
In its simplest form, sensory play might involve a baby exploring the texture of a soft cloth, a toddler pouring water between cups, or a child walking barefoot on grass. These experiences allow children to process different types of sensory input in a safe and engaging way.
Common examples of sensory play include:
- Splashing in water or scooping dry rice
- Handling natural materials like sand, leaves, or pebbles
- Listening to wind chimes or calming music
- Playing with scented dough or herbs from the garden
- Exploring colours, patterns, and light with safe visual materials
While many parents associate sensory play with messy activities like finger painting or slime, it does not always have to be untidy or elaborate. What matters most is that the experience invites exploration, builds curiosity, and allows the child to use their senses to understand and interact with their environment.
How it engages more than just the five senses
The five core senses are only part of the story. As children move, balance, and coordinate their limbs, they are also developing their vestibular and proprioceptive systems. These “hidden” senses help a child know where their body is in space, control movement, and build muscle memory.
For example, when a toddler climbs a soft ramp or crawls through a tunnel, they are engaging these systems through real movement. This is one reason why floor-based, large-muscle activities are such a central part of Montessori learning. They do not just build strength. They also help organise the brain in ways that support attention, coordination, and even emotional regulation.
Understanding the breadth of sensory input helps parents and educators create richer, more developmentally supportive experiences for young children.
In the next section, we will explore the scientific foundation of why sensory play is so powerful for brain development and lifelong learning.
How Sensory Play Shapes the Developing Brain
Neural pathways and sensory integration
In the first few years of life, a child’s brain forms more than one million new neural connections every second. These connections are built through experience, especially through repeated interactions with sensory input. Sensory play provides a rich source of stimulation that strengthens pathways in the brain responsible for processing touch, sound, sight, and movement.
When a baby grasps a textured object or follows a light with their eyes, their brain is not only interpreting sensory data, it is also beginning to integrate that information into purposeful responses. This process is called sensory integration, and it forms the basis for higher-order skills such as focus, coordination, memory, and even self-regulation.
The more varied and meaningful these early sensory experiences are, the stronger and more flexible these brain networks become.
Why early experiences matter for lifelong learning
The brain is especially adaptable in the early years, a quality known as neuroplasticity. During this time, experiences have a deeper and more lasting effect on how the brain is wired. Sensory play takes full advantage of this window by engaging multiple areas of the brain simultaneously.
For instance, when a toddler scoops and pours water, they are not only refining motor control. They are also learning about cause and effect, practising problem-solving, and enhancing their ability to focus. These small activities form the groundwork for later skills in maths, science, and executive function.
According to research from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child, consistent, responsive interactions including sensory play support the development of core brain architecture. These early foundations help children adapt to new learning environments and manage challenges more effectively as they grow.
The science of plasticity and critical periods
There are periods in early development when the brain is especially sensitive to particular types of input. These are known as critical periods. During these times, the brain is most efficient at building and refining certain abilities such as vision, language, or emotional regulation.
Sensory play aligns beautifully with these developmental windows. By offering tactile, auditory, visual, and movement-based experiences from birth, parents and educators give the brain the input it needs to wire itself in an organised, efficient way.
In Montessori environments, these principles are put into practice through carefully chosen materials and experiences that match the child’s developmental stage. In the next section, we will take a closer look at how each of the five primary senses contributes to early development, along with simple ideas to support each one.
The Role of the Five Core Senses in Infant Development
Touch: The foundation of connection and learning
Touch is the very first sense to develop in the womb and continues to play a vital role after birth. Through skin-to-skin contact, massage, and the exploration of different textures, babies begin to understand safety, connection, and their own physical presence. Activities like feeling soft fabrics, squishing dough, or crawling over textured mats help strengthen both physical and emotional development.
In Montessori infant spaces, we offer a variety of safe tactile experiences that support self-awareness, concentration, and fine motor development. These experiences are not random. They are carefully introduced at a pace that suits each child, with simple, natural materials that are pleasant to explore.
Sight: Learning through observation and contrast
Visual stimulation evolves rapidly in the first year. High-contrast images, natural light, colours, and symmetry all play a role in strengthening vision and attention. Sensory play can support this development through materials that encourage tracking, focusing, and visual discrimination.
For example, a mobile made of black and white shapes may help a newborn focus and calm. Later, matching games or coloured blocks help toddlers begin sorting and categorising information visually, which builds cognitive flexibility and prepares them for more complex problem-solving.
Sound: Building listening and language skills
Hearing is essential not just for communication but also for spatial awareness and emotional connection. Sensory play involving sound might include rattles, rhythm sticks, water chimes, or simply listening to natural sounds outdoors.
When children shake a bell or listen to the varying tones of wooden instruments, they are learning about rhythm, cause and effect, and auditory discrimination. These skills form the basis for speech, music, and even early literacy.
As described in the ECDA journal, infants rely on consistent sensory patterns including sounds to make sense of their environment and regulate their emotions.
Smell and taste: Awakening memory and preference
Although less commonly emphasised, smell and taste are powerful sensory tools in early brain development. Scented herbs, fruits, or naturally fragrant materials like cinnamon sticks or lavender can offer safe olfactory experiences that awaken memory and spark curiosity.
For babies and toddlers exploring solids, taste-based sensory play includes discovering the texture and flavour of different foods. In Montessori environments, food preparation and exposure to natural ingredients are often part of the daily routine, helping children learn through smelling, tasting, and preparing food themselves.
Each of these senses contributes to a deeper understanding of the world and provides the building blocks for more complex learning. In the next section, we will explore two additional senses, the vestibular and proprioceptive systems and their importance in whole-body development.
Beyond the Basics: Vestibular and Proprioceptive Senses
Movement-based play and body awareness
In addition to the five familiar senses, children rely on two essential systems to build physical confidence and control: the vestibular system, which governs balance and spatial orientation, and the proprioceptive system, which helps the brain understand where the body is in space.
The vestibular sense is activated through activities like swinging, spinning, rolling, or rocking. These movements send signals to the inner ear and brain, helping children learn to balance, orient their heads, and coordinate eye movements. For example, when a toddler walks along a beam or spins in a circle and stops, their brain is calibrating how to regain stability and control movement.
Proprioception is stimulated through pushing, pulling, lifting, and climbing. These actions provide deep pressure and joint feedback that support motor planning and self-regulation. Children who enjoy crawling through tunnels, building with heavy blocks, or carrying baskets are engaging this system and building strong body awareness in the process.
These two senses are key to physical independence and coordination. Without well-developed vestibular and proprioceptive processing, children may struggle with balance, posture, or even concentration.
How Montessori supports whole-body learning
The Montessori approach naturally supports both of these hidden senses. From the earliest stages, babies are encouraged to move freely on floor mats without being confined to swings or bouncers. Toddlers climb stairs, carry objects, roll rugs, and clean up their spaces, movements that engage large muscle groups and build integrated sensory awareness.
Materials are designed to match the child’s size and strength, allowing them to work with their hands and bodies in ways that feel purposeful and achievable. For example, a child who carries a tray of water carefully across the room is developing core strength, coordination, and balance all at once.
At Starshine Montessori, our classrooms are intentionally prepared to allow children to move, lift, bend, and reach safely throughout the day. These repeated full-body movements are not just physical exercises. They are acts of learning and independence, strengthening the mind-body connection that supports all areas of development.
In the next section, we will explore how Montessori principles further encourage sensory exploration through prepared environments and thoughtfully designed materials.
Montessori Principles That Support Sensory Exploration
Prepared environments and sensorial materials
One of the core beliefs of Montessori education is that children learn best through hands-on experience with carefully prepared materials. The environment itself is designed to encourage exploration, independence, and meaningful engagement with the senses. Each material introduced to the child has a clear purpose and appeals to at least one sense and often more.
In the infant and toddler classrooms at Starshine Montessori, you will find wooden objects with varying textures, fabrics with distinct temperatures, colour tablets, smell bottles, sound cylinders, and sandpaper letters. These are not toys in the traditional sense but sensorial tools that isolate specific qualities like size, shape, weight, or tone. When children work with them, they are refining their ability to notice, compare, and describe the world around them.
This kind of focused sensory work is deeply aligned with brain development. It helps children build attention, memory, sequencing, and logical thinking, all through their senses.
Encouraging independent discovery through play
Rather than directing every activity, Montessori educators create the conditions for children to discover for themselves. This is especially powerful in sensory learning, where the goal is not to “teach” a child what something feels or sounds like, but to allow them to experience it directly and come to their own conclusions.
For example, when a toddler explores a treasure basket filled with natural objects, pine cones, sponges, wooden spoons, they are choosing what to touch, taste, or smell. They are building a personalised sensory map based on their own interests and developmental needs.
This independence supports self-confidence and curiosity. It also nurtures intrinsic motivation, where children learn for the joy of understanding rather than for external praise.
For a closer look at how we integrate sensory play into our everyday teaching, our blog article on how Montessori helps children learn through play provides further examples and insight.
Respecting the child’s pace and preferences
Every child engages with sensory input differently. Some may delight in messy, hands-on textures, while others are more sensitive and need time to build comfort. Montessori educators are trained to observe and respond to these individual preferences with sensitivity and respect.
Rather than rushing or forcing participation, we offer repeated opportunities and gentle encouragement. This creates a safe, low-pressure environment where children can explore at their own pace.
Understanding that sensory preferences are part of a child’s unique developmental path allows us to support their growth without judgement. With trust and consistency, even the most cautious child often finds joy and confidence in sensory discovery.
Next, we will look at age-specific examples of sensory play, from newborns to toddlers, and how to safely incorporate these ideas into daily routines at home or school.
Real-Life Examples of Sensory Play for Every Age
Ideas for newborns, infants, and toddlers
Sensory play can begin from birth, and it evolves naturally as your child grows. Here are age-appropriate examples to help parents and caregivers support early brain development in simple, effective ways.
Newborns (0–3 months):
At this stage, sensory play is gentle and passive. Try the following:
- Skin-to-skin contact to build trust and stimulate touch
- High-contrast black-and-white mobiles to engage vision
- Soft lullabies or humming for auditory stimulation
- Massage with natural oil to soothe and enhance bonding
Infants (3–12 months):
As babies gain head control and begin to move, sensory play becomes more active:
- Treasure baskets filled with safe, natural materials of varied textures
- Tummy time on a textured mat or blanket to stimulate both touch and movement
- Water play with cups and cloths for exploring wet versus dry
- Bell shakers or crinkly cloths for cause-and-effect play
Toddlers (12–36 months):
Toddlers are ready for more hands-on and full-body experiences:
- Sand or rice trays with scoops and funnels
- Walking on textured paths or barefoot on grass for proprioceptive feedback
- Helping in the kitchen by washing vegetables or kneading dough
- Creating sensory bins with safe small objects sorted by size, sound, or texture
These activities do not require expensive tools. With just a few natural or everyday items, sensory play can be a part of your child’s daily rhythm.
Safe materials and setups for home and school
Safety is essential in all sensory activities. Always ensure materials are age-appropriate, non-toxic, and free from small parts that could pose a choking risk. Babies should always be supervised closely, especially when playing with items they may put in their mouths.
At home, sensory bins can be easily created using containers filled with dry oats, pasta, or shredded paper. Outdoors, nature offers endless opportunities, leaves, mud, wind, rain, and stones all offer sensory input. Indoors, consider rotating a few items on a low shelf to keep your child’s interest and encourage independent choice.
The Parents.com sensory toys guide offers age-by-age suggestions for sensory-rich toys that support development through play and exploration.
Creating sensory bins, treasure baskets, and nature trays
Some versatile sensory tools include:
- Sensory bins: Low containers filled with dry or wet materials (rice, lentils, water beads, etc.), often with scoops, spoons, or cups for exploring.
- Treasure baskets: A Montessori favourite for infants, filled with household objects of different textures, shapes, and materials such as wood, metal, or cloth.
- Nature trays: Collections of seasonal items like pine cones, leaves, and stones that children can observe, touch, and sort.
These tools promote open-ended play, which strengthens attention, creativity, and decision-making skills all through the senses.
In the next section, we will explore how to recognise and support different sensory needs, especially for children who may find certain experiences overwhelming.
Recognising and Supporting Individual Sensory Needs
What to observe in your child’s reactions
Every child processes sensory input differently. While some seek out bright colours, bold textures, or movement, others may show signs of discomfort in certain environments. These responses are normal and part of each child’s unique sensory profile.
Parents and caregivers can support sensory development by observing closely. Signs that your child may need more or less sensory input include:
- Avoiding messy textures such as sand or paint
- Covering ears in noisy spaces
- Seeking tight hugs, spinning, or bouncing constantly
- Becoming overstimulated in busy environments
- Focusing intently on certain objects or repetitive motions
These behaviours are not necessarily a cause for concern. They are a child’s way of regulating their sensory experience.
When to modify activities or seek guidance
If your child consistently resists certain types of input, or becomes distressed during sensory play, it can help to adjust the environment or simplify the activity. Try dimming lights, reducing background noise, or offering one material at a time. Follow your child’s lead and never force participation.
That said, if your child’s reactions interfere with daily routines or cause ongoing stress, it may be helpful to consult a paediatrician or occupational therapist. Early guidance can provide useful strategies to support sensory integration in a calm, consistent way.
For example, research from the Cleveland Clinic highlights how children with sensory sensitivities can benefit from early exposure to movement and touch in small, manageable amounts. Tummy time, massage, or gentle motion are often good starting points.
Building confidence through sensory tolerance
When children are offered sensory experiences in a way that feels safe and predictable, they often begin to expand their tolerance naturally. This is especially true when the adult remains calm and encouraging, without placing pressure on the child.
At Starshine Montessori, we help children develop this confidence by creating sensory-rich environments that are warm, familiar, and responsive. Activities are repeated regularly, giving each child time to adapt at their own pace. This consistency builds a sense of security that opens the door to deeper exploration.
In the next section, we will show how sensory play is thoughtfully integrated into daily life at Starshine Montessori, both indoors and outdoors, in a way that supports whole-child development.
How Starshine Montessori Integrates Sensory Play Daily
In-classroom routines and materials
At Starshine Montessori, sensory play is not treated as a separate activity. Instead, it is a natural and essential part of the daily experience for every child, starting in our infant and toddler environments. Each classroom is prepared with developmentally appropriate materials that engage multiple senses in purposeful ways.
From textured fabrics in infant treasure baskets to sound cylinders and sandpaper letters for preschoolers, our materials are chosen to isolate sensory qualities such as temperature, texture, weight, tone, or shape. This focused exploration encourages children to refine their senses and develop critical thinking through observation and repetition.
In addition to structured materials, open-ended play is encouraged throughout the day. Children might wash vegetables, sort shells, grind spices, or explore coloured water. These experiences stimulate the senses while supporting coordination, independence, and concentration.
Outdoor sensory experiences
Nature offers one of the richest environments for sensory learning. Our outdoor areas are designed to give children frequent access to grass, soil, water, wind, and natural sounds. Whether walking barefoot on a warm stone path, listening to birds, or digging in the garden, children are constantly processing a wide range of sensory information.
This daily contact with nature helps regulate the nervous system and builds resilience. Children who may be sensitive indoors often feel calmer and more grounded outside, where sensory input is less artificial and more varied.
We also make use of natural seasonal materials, rainwater, leaves, herbs, and flowers to create spontaneous, child-led play that is rich in both creativity and sensory feedback.
Parent partnerships and take-home ideas
We believe sensory play should not stop at the classroom door. That is why we actively involve parents in supporting sensory development at home. Through regular updates, observations, and parent workshops, we share simple, safe ideas that can be easily introduced into the home environment.
Our article on play-based learning and early childhood development offers families insight into how daily routines like cooking, cleaning, and nature walks can become opportunities for sensory learning and connection.
By working in partnership with parents, we ensure that each child receives consistent, high-quality sensory experiences that support both learning and emotional well-being.
In the next section, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions about sensory play, including concerns around messiness, safety, and developmental value.
FAQs
Is sensory play messy or overwhelming?
Sensory play can sometimes be messy, especially when it involves materials like water, sand, or finger paint. However, it does not have to be. Many sensory activities such as exploring textured fabrics, smelling herbs, or pouring dry grains are neat and manageable. Mess is not the goal. The value lies in giving your child the freedom to explore with their senses in a safe and meaningful way.
To reduce overwhelm, start small and use calm, predictable materials. Children who are sensory-sensitive may prefer quiet, repetitive activities such as transferring objects or playing with dough rather than noisy or wet materials.
Do babies really learn through touch?
Yes, touch is one of the most important senses in early development. From birth, babies use their skin to gather information about the world around them. Through touching different surfaces, temperatures, and textures, they begin to build awareness of their body and environment. This early tactile input forms the foundation for many skills, including motor coordination, object recognition, and emotional bonding.
You can support this development by gently introducing different materials during daily routines and observing how your baby responds.
What if my child avoids certain textures or sounds?
It is very common for young children to have preferences or sensitivities when it comes to sensory input. Avoiding certain sensations does not mean something is wrong, but it may be a sign to go slower and adapt activities to your child’s comfort level. Try using similar materials in smaller doses, or pair them with something familiar to create a feeling of safety.
If your child consistently reacts with distress or avoids a wide range of sensory experiences, it may be helpful to speak with a paediatrician or occupational therapist for further support.
How much sensory play is enough each day?
There is no fixed amount of time required for sensory play. Most children engage in sensory learning naturally throughout the day whether during mealtime, outdoor walks, or independent play. That said, intentionally including 30 to 60 minutes of sensory-rich activities spread across the day can be beneficial, especially during the infant and toddler years.
Simple experiences like playing with spoons, crawling on a mat, or sorting objects can all count as valuable sensory play.
Can sensory play help with language or social skills?
Yes, sensory play supports language and social development in several ways. When children explore materials with others, they practise taking turns, listening, and using words to describe what they feel or see. Even infants begin to link sounds and sensations with emotional cues, laying the groundwork for social communication.
Activities that involve rhythm, repetition, and storytelling such as clapping games, singing, or role-playing combine sensory and language input in ways that make learning both joyful and memorable.
In the final section, we will list the references used in this article, so you can explore further reading or share trusted information with others.
References
The following sources were used to inform and support the content of this article, providing evidence-based insights and Montessori-aligned perspectives on sensory development:
- Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Sensory play. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_play
- Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Gross motor skill. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_motor_skill
- Ayres, A. J. (2005). Sensory Integration and the Child. Western Psychological Services.
- Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2011). The Whole-Brain Child. Delacorte Press.
- Harvard Center on the Developing Child. (2024). 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return Interactions. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/5-steps-for-brain-building-serve-and-return/
- ECDA. (2024). Bringing Up Baby. Retrieved from https://www.ecda.gov.sg/beanstalk/educators-portal/professional-development/pedagogical-practices/bringing-up-baby-1
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Tummy Time Benefits. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/tummy-time-benefits
- Parents.com. (2024). Best Sensory Toys for Babies and Toddlers. Retrieved from https://www.parents.com/parents-best-toys-2024-best-baby-toys-8724872
- Starshine Montessori. (2025). How the Montessori Method helps children learn through play. Retrieved from https://www.starshinemontessori.com/how-montessori-method-helps-children-learn-through-play/
- Starshine Montessori. (2025). Play-Based Learning & Early Childhood Development. Retrieved from https://www.starshinemontessori.com/play-based-learning-early-childhood-development/
These trusted sources provide a foundation for understanding how sensory play supports early brain development, helping parents and educators foster meaningful experiences during the most formative years.
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