Remember when you would talk to your baby's tummy and he would dance? It's time to keep helping your baby and child grow and develop their potential. To do this, we have a guide of sensory activities that will help you. You don't have to spend a lot of money, or go out and buy things or courses. With what you have at home, or at the homes of friends and family, you will be able to do these activities. If you want, you can also talk to your pediatrician to help you know which ones are ideal for each moment of your child's upbringing.

What is sensory stimulation?

The Snoezelen multisensory approach is a therapy that provokes a sensory awakening, favoring the understanding of others, of the world and of themselves, through stimuli and meaningful activities, and always starting from the basic needs of the child, as well as his or her real development.

What is the purpose of sensory play in children? Benefits of sensory stimulation

The main objective of multisensory stimulation is to improve living conditions, to work on sensations, perception and sensory, which are basic capabilities of human beings. The aim is to improve the assimilation of the sensory information offered to them, optimizing their relationship with the environment and their learning.

In an environment with controlled stimuli, sensations are worked on, giving the child the freedom to explore, discover and enjoy diverse sensory experiences. Multisensory stimulation becomes early stimulation when it is performed in the first years of life. Both methods of stimulation have much in common, but multisensory stimulation is distinguished from early stimulation by its therapeutic objectives.

Within the work of multisensory stimulation

The objectives are:

• Starting from the most basic human needs, promoting interaction, development and communication.
• To favor the personal and social situation of children with disabilities by improving and developing their mental and physical conditions.
• To develop and initiate communication strategies and to insist on sensory-perceptual abilities adjusted to the possibilities of each child.
• Optimize your well-being and quality of life

Sensory activities for babies 

Swimming in the water

Nothing better than splashing in the water together for the whole family. Water is ideal if we want the little ones to connect with their bodies and their mobility. 

Get the most out of it with swimming pool games kids

Textured toys

The world is full of new textures. From silky apples, dry toothbrushes, soft blankets and rough-skinned tangerines, these can be great options to introduce them to the textures of the world in a healthy and caring way.

Rattles

Both for learning fine mobility and sounds, they are great for keeping them entertained and learning new sounds.

Mobile hanger

New colors, animals, movements and more! A hanger will also help to be lulled to sleep.

Identifying body parts

Communication is the most important thing for a baby and its bonds. Teach him the name of each part of his body so he will know how to explain himself better.

Applause for singing

Music enters in the most ancient way, through percussion, such as clapping. You can sing and have your baby accompany you by clapping his hands.

Crawling on different textures 

Grass, carpet, wood, the bed, the couch. These are some of the surfaces your baby can get to know with you. Grass is sure to delight him with its natural feel, while wood would feel harder and colder.

Gentle massages

Perform relaxing massages on the baby's hands, feet, back or tummy to stimulate the baby's sense of touch and encourage bonding.

Sensory bags

Create sensory pouches filled with gel, water or rice, and close them tightly so baby can touch and press without danger of spilling.

Sensory bath

During bath time, provide floating toys and objects with different textures for baby to have fun and experiment with water.

Bubble game

Blow bubbles close to the baby so he can follow their movement and try to touch them.If you still find it difficult to blow bubbles in a row, you can learn how to use other options, for example how to make strong bubbles without glycerin

Exploring with fabrics

It offers different fabrics with soft, silky, wrinkled or rough textures for baby to touch and explore.

Games with mirrors

Place a safe mirror in front of the baby so he can see his reflection and experiment with his image.

Caresses with soft objects

Choose items such as fleece blankets, sweaters, cotton sheets. In this way, you will be able to test the weight of different soft materials.

Treasure box

Fill a box with safe toys and objects of different shapes and textures for baby to discover.

Hide and seek games

Play at hiding objects under cloths or handkerchiefs for baby to find and discover.

Exploration with light

Play with soft lights or colored lamps to stimulate baby's vision.

Clapping game

Gently pat baby's hands and feet to stimulate baby's sense of touch and hearing.

Sensory activities for preschool children

Sensory sandbox

Fill a large tray with sand and hide small toys or treasures in it for children to find and explore with their hands.

Mass scanning

Prepare different homemade doughs such as play dough or salt dough with different colors and aromas for children to mold and manipulate. Take a look at the article slime games for kids.

Sponge painting

Use sponges instead of paintbrushes to paint. Kids can dip sponges in paint and stamp them on paper to create fun designs.

Barefoot circuit

Create a circuit with different surfaces (carpet, crumpled paper, tile, sand) for children to walk on barefoot and feel the different textures.

Sensory treasure hunt

Hide small objects with varied textures throughout the house and provide children with a list to find and sort the objects.

Try hiding some  Kiddus objects as the  sunglasses for children and the clocks.

Sensory bottles

Fill clear plastic bottles with different colored liquids and small objects to create fascinating sensory bottles.

Balloon game

 Fill balloons with different materials such as rice, water or flour before blowing them up, so children can explore the sensations of touching them.

Ice painting

Prepare ice cubes with paint and let children slide them on paper to create colorful strokes.

Sensory games for children at home 

Figures with clay

Extremely fun and creative at the same time, you can create things freely or use a tutorial to develop new figures. We recommend that you work in hourly intervals, because the clay dries out and can no longer be re-molded.

Finger painting 

In the absence of brushes, we can use our fingers and hands to paint. You can create figures using the whole hand or just a few fingers. The little ones love to be able to touch the paint with their fingers and feel it on their skin, so it's an activity they won't say no to. 

Children tend to love creativity and painting, so I suggest you read the article:17 easy face painting ideas for kids at parties

Playing in nature

Following this path, being in nature is a beautiful way for children to learn more about the world. Whether it is playing in the mud, in the water or getting to know new trees, being in contact with nature will show the little ones new colors, sounds and stimuli.

Textured books 

It may sound a little complicated, but it's not. Put different scraps of materials in a book (you can recycle what you have right there at home). You can save it and use it with more children in the future.

Making cakes

Team Cooking Present! Making cakes, cupcakes, and pies will teach them to enjoy cooking, exploit their creativity and be able to eat what they have made with so much love.

Taste food to guess

Very simple, you blindfold them with a soft tape and sit them at the table or on the couch. Then you give them food little by little and let them tell you what it can be. Try to make it things that they can take with their hands without burning themselves or needing a fork, so they will also discover textures.

Playing homemade musical instruments

You can make guitars with old cardboard boxes and some strings. Or a Xylophone with old tuna cans, canned goods and tomatoes. You can also make drums out of old hollowed out and dried pumpkins.

Sensory stimulation with plasticine

Old as time, but fun! You will be able to create different animals and figurines. The good thing is that they don't dry out, so if you store them well, you can use your play dough many times.

Conclusion

As we have seen, you don't have to spend a fortune to help develop your little ones' skills You can do it homemade, with things you already have at home. With scraps of fabric, pieces of corks, colors and even plants, you can help your little ones get to know the world and slowly develop all their skills and potential. Remember also that each child is different, therefore, they will develop at their own pace. You accompany them, listen to them and be sure that you will be the best decision maker for their development, trust you!