Hear from Suzie Pickering - Senior Speech Pathologist and Director of Little Lions. https://www.littlelions.com.au/
Sensory play incorporates a range of senses, and for children with high sensory needs, this can improve their ability to actively learn new language.
When it comes to speech and language development, the more that senses are stimulated for learning, the more likely children will understand and grasp new vocabulary. Engagement, social play, and meeting a child’s sensory needs is so beneficial in boosting speech and language development.
The range of vocabulary a child can be exposed to and taught through play is endless! From nouns (names for people, places, or things), adjectives (describing words- soft, hard, squishy, cold), prepositions (location words-in, on, under) and verbs (doing words-pour, crush, mix, dig), children are exposed to a range of new vocabulary. By exposure of these words through repetition in play, children are more likely to express them on their own.
Not only can sensory play expand a child’s vocabulary, but it can also help to improve their ability to follow directions (e.g. pick up the bee and hide it under the sand!) and answer comprehension questions (e.g. who is hiding under the sand?). Sensory play can also improve social skills such as pretend play skills, problem solving skills, self-regulation, and flexibility in play.
It is through play that children learn, explore, and develop speech and language.
Sensory play is highly recommended to enhance a child’s language skills.
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