Sensory Rich Environment

Every child has different sensory needs. Some may seek out more tactile, movement, or sound input to stay engaged. Observing the child’s preferences can help you tailor their environment.

For children who need more sensory input, creating spaces or activities that increase stimulation, will help them stay focused and engaged. Things to try include:

  • Create sensory zones around the classroom. This can include a tactile wall display; a calm or low stimulation area; a movement area or space and equipment for more physically active play.
  • Incorporate physical movement activities, such as handing out materials or moving objects, into daily routines.
  • Provide sensory objects like fidgets or chewy items for oral motor input.
  • Incorporate rich sensory activities like singing, dancing, or physical play to help them stay focused and energised.
  • Be aware that children who seek and need sensory input can become distressed and overwhelmed by receiving too much sensory stimulation – It is best to speak to an Occupational Therapist for advice if you are concerned about how much or little sensory stimulation your child needs to feel comfortable and engaged.

Celebrate their sensory-seeking behaviour as an expression of curiosity, creativity, and exploration.

Tip: Keep a journal of the types of sensory input your child enjoys (e.g., rough textures, swinging, deep pressure). This helps to create personalised activities that respect their sensory needs.

Tactile (Touch)

Children who seek tactile experiences often love to explore the world through touch. Embrace this as a way for them to build their sensory awareness, creativity, fine motor skills and build problem solving skills.

  • Provide materials like play dough, textured fabrics, sand, water, and sensory bins filled with rice, beans, or kinetic sand. Consider introducing different textures through items such as soft blankets, rubber balls, or textured toys.
  • Encourage sensory exploration through finger painting, playing with foam, or creating with clay. These activities support creativity and stress relief.
  • Consider adding a sensory wall or display area with a variety of textures, objects and activities (bubble wrap, sand paper, mirrors, fabrics).
  • Create a tactile path with different materials (e.g., fluffy carpet, rough sandpaper) for children to walk on barefoot, allowing them to explore different sensations.

Auditory (Hearing)

Children with a heightened need for sound may thrive in environments where auditory experiences are balanced, engaging, or soothing. They often have a natural sensitivity to rhythm, tone, or music.

  • Provide a range of auditory stimuli, from calming white noise machines and nature sounds to upbeat music. Offer headphones for children who may need to control their auditory input.
  • Try singing or varying your tone and delivery of verbal instructions to gain attention and interest.
  • Introduce instruments like drums, shakers, and bells. Music can stimulate focus, creativity, and coordination.
  • Engage in sound play by experimenting with objects that make different noises (e.g., pots and pans, water, xylophones). Allow children to create their own music, supporting self-expression and exploration.

Visual (Sight)

Children who seek more visual stimulation often respond strongly to colour, light, and movement. Their attraction to visual input can enhance creativity, focus, and spatial awareness.

  • Use a mix of calming colours for relaxation and bold colours or dynamic lights for stimulation. Consider using visual timers, light-up toys, or bubble lamps to help children visually regulate and engage.
  • Engage children with activities like sorting colourful objects, creating rainbow-themed crafts, or playing with light projectors. These activities foster creativity and strengthen visual-spatial skills.
  • Create visually stimulating sensory bottles filled with glitter, beads, or coloured water. These are calming tools that children can focus on when they need visual input.

Vestibular (Movement and Balance)

Movement-seeking children often love spinning, swinging, jumping, or any activities that engage their sense of balance and body movement. These activities help them feel centred and focused. Celebrate their movement as an expression of energy, coordination, and spatial awareness.

  • Incorporate swings, mini-trampolines, balance boards, and rocking chairs. Have designated areas for safe, active play to help them release energy and regulate their sensory system.
  • Integrate regular movement breaks like dancing, jumping, or rolling. Activities such as yoga or animal walks (e.g., crab walk, bear crawl) help with focus and coordination.
  • Use swings, spinning chairs, or rocking horses to provide vestibular input. These can be calming and regulating for children who need movement to concentrate.
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Proprioceptive (Body Awareness)

Children who need proprioceptive input benefit from activities that involve deep pressure or heavy work, helping them feel more grounded and focused. They may excel at activities that involve physical strength or resistance.

  • Provide access to weighted blankets, body socks, or resistance bands. Designate spaces for “heavy work” like pushing, pulling, or lifting objects.
  • Create activities like crawling under weighted blankets, tug-of-war or wheel-barrow races. These can provide comfort and help children regulate.
  • Encourage pushing large objects (e.g., filled laundry baskets), carrying weighted items (eg. watering can for gardening), or doing wall pushes to provide deep muscle input that helps with concentration.

Olfactory (Smell)

For some children, smells are incredibly stimulating or calming. They may have a natural inclination to seek out pleasant scents or unusual smells.

  • Offer opportunities to explore different calming scents, like lavender or eucalyptus, using essential oil diffusers or scented play dough.
  • Use scented materials in play like flowers, spices, or herbs. Introduce activities such as making scented playdough or exploring scratch-and-sniff books.
  • Introduce calming essential oils or scented sensory objects. Create a “calm-down corner” with soft lighting and soothing scents for self-regulation.

Gustatory (Taste)

Some children seek out certain tastes and textures in food. For those who are gustatory-seekers, exploring new flavours and textures can be an enjoyable and regulating experience.

  • Offer a variety of textures and tastes through fun taste-testing activities, ensuring the food items align with the child’s dietary needs.
  • Create a taste-testing activity with different fruits, snacks, or flavours.
  • Involve children in simple cooking or snack preparation where they can explore textures, smells, and tastes. It’s a sensory experience that also promotes independence and life skills.

Integrating Multiple Senses

Encourage activities that engage multiple senses simultaneously to support holistic sensory input.

Combine visual, tactile, and auditory stimulation by creating sensory stations that allow for exploration across senses. Activities like a “sensory garden” (featuring flowers to smell, water to touch, and colours to see) can provide rich, immersive experiences.

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