Sensory Play

Tanya Musgrave BSc (Biology),BTech.,CPHI(C)

Sensory play is a fun and interactive way to aid in a child’s early stages of development. Benefits include everything from early language development to problem-solving skills. Although sensory play is important in a child’s development, precautions should be taken to ensure it is done safely. Sensory items can include dry pasta, water, sand, feathers, and play dough. These items cannot be cleaned and disinfected, therefore, extra care needs to be taken.

• Always perform handwashing before and after sensory play.
• Immediately discard any single use items that are mouthed by a child.
• Water tables must be cleaned and disinfected between use and each play session must have fresh water.
• Play dough must be made from non-toxic material and discarded weekly.
• Dried food such as pasta, dried beans, or grains must be stored in air-tight, labelled containers. These items must be discarded weekly. Ensure these items are stored separately from food intended for consumption.
• Other items that can be used are branches, leaves, and pinecones, which must be discarded weekly.

Many items are acceptable for sensory play, but there are also items that should never be used, these include:

• egg cartons,
• meat trays, and
• toilet paper rolls.

If an outbreak is declared in your daycare, sensory play must be suspended. This is because many of the items used cannot be cleaned and disinfected. In addition, any of the items used for sensory play prior to the outbreak being declared would need to be discarded immediately, and any bins and/or tubs used would require cleaning and disinfection.

References:

(2024) Canadian Pediatric Society- Caring for Kids ( https://caringforkids.cps.ca/).

(2019) York Region Community and Health Services-Health Protection Division- A Public Health Guide for Childcare Providers- Protecting and Promoting Health in Childcare.