Sensory Play

Encouraging creativity may be the core motive behind involving children in craft activities, but the effect of the arts runs much deeper. Arts and crafts play a large role in children’s sensory development. The role arts and crafts hold with sensory development and its impact on a child’s overall development is a unique one.Artistic activities open the brain’s reward pathways, meaning, anytime a child creates art or makes a craft, they are regulating thoughts, feelings, and actions through awakening that part of their brains.

Beyond technical standpoints, sensory play is stimulating to children and increases creativity. It teaches children sensory attributes such as texture, sound, flavor, appearance, or aroma, and allows children to process problem-solving skills and social interaction. For many children, participating in sensory play can also be calming as the sensory engagement can organize neural pathways that help a child focus or calm themselves.