The Role of Play in Sensory Integration: How Everyday Games Can Boost Your Child’s Development
Play is more than just fun for children; it’s a powerful tool for learning and development. Through play, children explore their world, learn new skills, and build the foundations for their future growth. One of the most important aspects of play is its role in sensory integration. Sensory integration refers to the brain’s ability to take in, process, and respond to information from the senses. This is crucial for a child’s ability to function effectively in everyday life.
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, located in Bondi Junction and Mascot, our Occupational Therapists use play-based activities to help children develop their sensory integration skills. In this blog, we’ll explore how everyday games can boost your child’s development and why play is so essential for sensory integration.
What is Sensory Integration?
Sensory integration involves the way our brains process sensory information. This includes input from the five basic senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—as well as the tactile system (which helps understand and respond to touch) vestibular system (which helps with balance and movement) and the proprioceptive system (which helps with body awareness). For most children, sensory integration happens naturally as they play and explore their environment. However, some children may have difficulties processing sensory information, which can impact their ability to participate in everyday activities.
When a child struggles with sensory integration, they might be overly sensitive to certain stimuli, like loud noises or bright lights, or they might seek out sensory experiences, like jumping or spinning. These challenges can affect a child’s behaviour, attention, coordination, and even their social interactions. Learn more about sensory integration here.
The Importance of Play in Sensory Integration
Play is a natural and enjoyable way for children to experience and integrate sensory information. Through play, children engage in activities that stimulate their senses, helping their brains learn how to process and respond to sensory input. This process is crucial for developing skills like balance, coordination, focus, and self-regulation.
1. Developing Tactile Processing Through Play
Tactile processing refers to how we interpret and respond to information from our sense of touch. Children develop tactile processing skills through activities that involve different textures, temperatures, and sensations. Simple games like playing with playdough, finger painting, or exploring a sensory bin filled with rice, beans, or sand can help children become more comfortable with different tactile experiences.
For children who are overly sensitive to touch, these activities can be a gentle way to desensitise them and make them more comfortable with different textures. On the other hand, for children who seek out touch, these activities can provide the sensory input they crave in a safe and controlled way.
2. Enhancing Proprioceptive Processing Through Play
Proprioception is our sense of body awareness. It’s what allows us to know where our body parts are without looking at them. This sense is developed through activities that involve pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying objects. Games like building with blocks, playing tug-of-war, or even carrying a heavy backpack can help children develop proprioceptive awareness.
For example, building with blocks requires a child to use their hands and fingers to grasp and manipulate objects, helping to improve their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Playing tug-of-war engages the large muscle groups, providing the deep pressure input that helps with body awareness and control.
3. Strengthening Vestibular Processing Through Play
The vestibular system is responsible for balance and spatial orientation. It helps us stay upright and maintain our posture as we move. Children develop their vestibular processing skills through activities that involve movement, such as swinging, spinning, or jumping.
Playing on a swing, for example, provides vestibular input as the child experiences the sensation of moving through space. This type of play helps children develop balance and coordination, which are essential for everyday activities like walking, running, and climbing.
Similarly, activities like rolling down a hill or spinning in circles can help children who are under-responsive to vestibular input become more aware of their bodies in space. For children who are overly sensitive, these activities can be introduced gradually to help them become more comfortable with movement.
4. Promoting Sensory Regulation Through Play
Sensory regulation is the ability to manage sensory input in a way that allows us to stay calm, focused, and engaged. Some children may have difficulty regulating their sensory responses, leading to overreactions or under-reactions to sensory stimuli. Play can be an effective way to help children learn how to regulate their sensory input.
For example, engaging in calming activities like playing with a weighted cushion, squeezing a stress ball, or listening to soft music can help children who are overstimulated calm down. On the other hand, alerting activities like jumping on a trampoline, dancing, or playing with brightly coloured toys can help children who are under-stimulated become more alert and focused.
5. Building Social Skills Through Sensory Play
Play is also a social activity, and many games require children to interact with others, share, take turns, and communicate. Sensory play can help children develop these important social skills while also addressing their sensory needs.
For instance, group activities like playing with a parachute, passing a ball, or engaging in a group art project can help children practice social skills like cooperation and communication. These activities also provide sensory input that can help children stay engaged and focused in a social setting.
How Occupational Therapy Uses Play to Enhance Sensory Integration
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, our Occupational Therapists use play-based activities to help children develop their sensory integration skills. We understand that each child is unique, with their own sensory preferences and challenges. That’s why we tailor our therapy sessions to meet the specific needs of each child, using play as a tool to promote sensory integration.
1. Assessment and Goal Setting
The first step in our therapy process is to assess the child’s sensory processing abilities. We observe how the child responds to different sensory inputs and identify areas of difficulty. Based on this assessment, we work with the parents to set specific goals for therapy. These goals might include improving tactile processing, enhancing body awareness, or developing better balance and coordination.
2. Customised Play Activities
Once we have set goals, we design play-based activities that target the child’s specific sensory needs. For example, if a child struggles with tactile processing, we might incorporate activities like sand play or finger painting into their therapy sessions. If a child needs to develop better balance, we might include swinging or balance beam activities.
These activities are not only therapeutic but also fun and engaging for the child. We believe that when children enjoy what they’re doing, they are more likely to participate actively and make progress.
3. Parent Involvement
We also involve parents in the therapy process, providing them with strategies and activities they can do at home to support their child’s sensory development. We might suggest setting up a sensory corner at home with different textures and materials or incorporating movement-based activities into the child’s daily routine.
By involving parents, we ensure that the progress made in therapy continues at home, helping the child develop strong sensory integration skills that will benefit them in everyday life.
Conclusion: The Power of Play in Sensory Integration
Play is a powerful tool for promoting sensory integration and supporting a child’s overall development. Through everyday games and activities, children can explore their senses, develop important skills, and learn how to interact with the world around them. It is particularly important for children with autism.
At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot, we are committed to helping children develop strong sensory integration skills through play-based Occupational Therapy. If you’re concerned about your child’s sensory processing abilities or want to learn more about how we can help, please contact us today. Our Occupational Therapists are AHPRA registered.
Together, we can help your child reach their full potential through the power of play!
