The Impact of Sensory Play on Toddler's Language and Communication Development.

If there’s one thing that has truly opened up a new world for Archie, it’s been combining his love for sensory play and reading. It’s amazing how these two activities not only capture his attention but have also become a powerful tool for his language and communication skills! Watching him engage so fully has been a joy—and a revelation! Here’s how we’ve seen it impact him and some ideas for you to try.

Starting Simple: Scoop and Pour

Our sensory play started with something simple but endlessly fascinating for Archie: the repetitive phrases “scoop” and “pour.” I’d say, “Scoop and pour!” over and over, and soon enough, Archie was trying to mimic those sounds himself. I could see that just repeating these simple actions and phrases was reinforcing his language skills; he was getting more confident and adventurous with each attempt. We used different scoops, cups, and bowls, experimenting with textures like rice, beans, or water, and the more we scooped and poured, the more words we introduced.

Water play has been incredibly important for Archie. If he had his way, he’d be in the water 24/7! We even make bath time a chance for him to play and explore. The beauty of water play is how versatile it is: sometimes, it’s just a bowl of water with a spoon and a cup for pouring and scooping, while other times, we get adventurous and add in little animals, rocks, and “treasures” like golden coins. A fun tip I love using is adding a little food dye and cornflour to create colored water; it works wonders for hiding what’s beneath the surface, sparking Archie’s curiosity. We add a sensory element too by talking about textures: “Can you feel that…it’s soft, it’s spiky” Water play has opened up so many opportunities for language, helping him learn new words, repeat phrases, and engage his senses in a playful, creative way. And most of all he loves it.

Adding Books to the Mix: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

One day, I had a lightbulb moment. Why not use one of his favourite books as inspiration for our sensory play? The Very Hungry Caterpillar was the perfect choice! Archie adores both reading and sensory activities, so this combination truly unlocked something special for him. I set up a sensory tray filled with coloured rice to mimic the green and vibrant caterpillar, and we crafted little food items from the story: apples, pears, plums, and even the famous slice of Swiss cheese. I drew out all the food items, and we placed them in the tray along with scoops, cups, and bowls for him to "feed" the caterpillar. Archie loved it so much that we left the tray out all week, and he kept coming back to it, telling the story in his own way.

Having tangible items from the book allowed him to connect the words he heard and the visuals he saw. We even created a sun and a moon and a leaf for him to “chomp” through, making it an immersive experience! Archie loved pretending to be the caterpillar, eating his way through each food card, and saying the names along with me. This activity sparked his curiosity and encouraged him to try new words in a playful, pressure-free way. We had a full month (maybe even longer) of Archie crawling everywhere saying, “I’m a big, fat caterpillar!” Absolutely, hilarious but also just amazing that he was using words!

The more sensory play we did, the more words Archie learned, and we quickly realized that he could now retell his favourite stories in his own unique way. What started as us narrating a story turned into Archie creating his own little narratives! Using sensory items like play dough, rice, and small toys allowed him to explore freely and develop storytelling skills.

Retelling Stories, His Way

We’ve found that sensory play is also a fantastic way for Archie to explore imagination and creativity. After we did The Very Hungry Caterpillar activity, Archie began inventing his own versions of the story. Now, he often “feeds” his little animal figures different “foods” he’s made out of playdough or dried pasta. He’ll say, “Bear is hungry! Bear wants apple!” or something similar, showing that he’s using language in a fun, interactive way. Watching him create his own little worlds and stories has been a game-changer for us; it’s not just playtime but also a moment for him to express himself.

Final Thoughts

Integrating sensory play for toddlers with books has truly empowered Archie’s language and communication. It’s turned simple playtime into an opportunity for him to learn, explore, and express himself. Sensory play gives kids the space to connect words with actions and meaning, and for Archie, it’s been like opening a door to a whole new world of expression and creativity.

If you’re looking to boost language and communication skills in your little one, I can’t recommend this combo enough! All it takes is a bit of rice, a good story, and a playful spirit to watch magic unfold.

Top Tips for Sensory Play

1.     Use Cornflour for Coloured Water: A great way to make water play more intriguing is to add food dye along with a bit of cornflour. This creates a fun, vibrant colour and makes the water opaque enough to hide surprises at the bottom, perfect for treasure hunts or discovering "hidden" items.

2.     Skip the Questions: It’s natural to want to ask questions, but children learn best when they hear language modelled for them. Instead of asking, “What’s this?” try narrating and describing what you see: “Ooh, this feels soft!” or “Look, here’s a long, green snake!” Repeating words and phrases lets them absorb language naturally. Think “monkey see, monkey do” or, in this case, “monkey hear, monkey say”!

3.     Keep It Simple: You don’t need elaborate setups. Sometimes the best sensory activities are the simplest—a bowl of water, a few objects, and your attention are all you need to create a meaningful experience.

4.     Embrace Repetition: Don’t worry about repeating activities. Repetition is key to learning, and children thrive on it. Archie loves coming back to familiar activities, and each time, he finds new ways to interact and learn.

5. Join in the Fun: The best way to keep your child engaged is by playing along! Show excitement, narrate what you’re doing, and respond to their actions. This keeps them focused and shows them how to explore with curiosity and joy.