Sensory Sprouts
Toddlers to Pre-School
Sensory Sprouts Toddler Group is the next stage of our growing adventure. Here, unlike a traditional toddler group that typically revolves around a musical circle time format or arts and crafts/messy play, our group uses a montessori approach to learning and exploring. A large focus is going to be on “Loose Part Play” interwoven with sensory elements.
Loose part play uses random and themed loose elements to allow a child to explore as they wish. You can use anything from wooden blocks and pieces, small world characters, random single toys, junk and art and crafts pieces and a selection of vessels, tubes, posting slots/boxes, fabrics etc. This allows children to engage with their natural learning schemas as they choose. Schematic play is where a child naturally engages with the world around them in a way that naturally makes sense to them. Children typically have a preferred schema but can be categorised by multiple different schemas. A child could have for example a rotational and trajectory schematic learning pattern and you would typically see them gravitating towards round objects and throwing/dropping them. A great toy option for them would be a ball drop/helter skelter or a vertical water wheel during water play. By providing a multitude of loose part options in an open ended play activity, children can engage with them in schematic play that is best suited to them
This helps encourage a child's learning in a multitude of ways. It promotes their creativity, their independence and their problem solving skills. Loose part play is a way of exploring their world through their five senses. Allowing them to think outside the box and use their imagination.
To continue our sensory development journey we will infuse our loose part, open ended play opportunities with sensory experiences. Using experience trays (tuff spots/sensory bins) we will set up areas for children to engage with the loose parts.
These could include elements such as coloured rice, pasta, lentils, oats, scrap fabric, shredded paper etc etc
Touch: different textures and materials along with different weights and sizes in our items,
Sight: our loose part play will be a colourful and natural array of items that will be a feast for the eyes
Smell: Where possible we will introduce scented elements such as cinnamon sticks, dried citrus, dried flowers, essential oils to engage with nature and the beautiful aromas of the world
Taste: due to the nature of loose part play we will not be encouraging tasting in our sessions as some parts will be small and we wish to reduce the risk of choking.
