As a practitioner you always have a ‘go to’ and mine is most definitely sensory play, also known as ‘messy play’. As an adult you may look and think ‘what a mess!’ but that so-called mess in the eyes of a child is sparking their imagination, creativity, confidence, curiosity, independence, problem solving and so much more.
Whether the medium is paint, gloop, mud or something else there are no rules when it comes to this kind of play and it provides the children so many opportunities to explore and learn. ‘I can use my hands to explore the textures’. ‘I can use a paintbrush to make different marks’.
As a practitioner it is so important to encourage messy play and let the children know it’s okay to be ‘messy’. Let’s face it – that is what nursery is for and why we do this job! The idea behind sensory play is to enable the children to explore their senses; looking at different colours and shapes, feeling different textures, hearing the squelching sound of mud under their feet, smelling spices which have been added to play dough. It offers them so much variety and choice within their play.
We like to explore sensory play both indoors and outdoors; splashing in muddy puddles, getting wet and baking those yummy mud pies are some all-time favourites!
Some children love sensory play, whilst others not so much, but the beauty of it is they can choose to participate as much or a little as they’d like. And it provides them with endless opportunities to make their own choices and work out challenges.
So let’s continue to get messy and have fun!
Tracey – Toddler Room Leader
Little Stars Day Nursery 