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A child’s developing brain constructing the neural architecture for mathematical concepts, fine motor control, and executive function foundational skills that would seamlessly transition from sensory exploration to formal academic learning, is a miracle to behold.

That moment when your toddler discovers a puddle and treats it like buried treasure When they spend twenty minutes splashing, giggling, and getting completely soaked. Or perhaps you’ve watched them become mesmerised by a bowl of rice, running tiny fingers through it like they’re conducting vital scientific research. The remarkable thing about this is that they are conducting research! What appears to be delightful mess-making is intensive brain construction, laying the groundwork for everything they’ll learn throughout their lives.

Understanding Your Child’s Developing Brain

Every single sensory exploration, whether squishing Play-Doh between fingers or discovering how sand transforms when wet, triggers what can only be described as a neural celebration. During these early years, more than one million new neural connections form every second (Harvard Centre on the Developing Child; Zero to Three; PBS North Carolina). Research published in PMC confirms that “by one estimate, more than one million synapses are formed every second in the early years” (PMC – Early Brain Development and Public Health).

A groundbreaking 2024 study published in Developmental Psychology, following 2,400 children across twelve countries, confirmed that children experiencing multi-sensory learning demonstrate 34 percent better engagement and retention, compared to traditional single-sense learning approaches. Additionally, research from Frontiers in Education demonstrates that “multi-sensory educational toys can enhance engagement and learning outcomes more effectively than traditional toys” (Frontiers in Education). It’s the difference between reading about chocolate cake and experiencing its taste, aroma, and texture.

Understanding how sensory development unfolds through predictable stages can help parents provide precisely the right experiences at optimal times for maximum brain-building impact.

The Critical Developmental Window

Imagine your child’s brain as a bustling construction site where neural pathways are being built around the clock. At birth, they possess all necessary neurones, but these haven’t yet learnt to communicate effectively. Each new sensory experience literally carves pathways in their brain, the more they practise, the stronger these pathways become, much like a walking trail eventually becoming a paved road through repeated use.

According to the NCBI’s “From Neurones to Neighbourhoods,” “the processes that establish the structure and functioning of the brain continue well into adolescence” and describe how “building the organised neural systems that guide sensory and motor development involves the production of excess connections followed by some sort of pruning” (NCBI – From Neurones to Neighbourhoods).

During the first three years, a child’s brain maintains such remarkable flexibility that it contains 50% more connections than an adult brain. This neuroplasticity makes creating sensory-rich environments at home absolutely crucial, and parents are essentially optimising their physical space for maximum developmental benefit during this irreplaceable window.

The Foundation: Dr. Ayres’ Revolutionary Discovery

In the 1970s, occupational therapist Dr. A. Jean Ayres experienced what could only be called a paradigm shift. Working with children who demonstrated intelligence but struggled academically, she began connecting the dots between sensory processing and learning capacity. The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy confirms that sensory integration theory “is based on more than 50 years of theory and research originated at USC by Dr. A. Jean Ayres.”

PubMed Central validates that “Dr. A. Jean Ayres was the first occupational therapist to conceptualise Sensory Integration (SI) theories and therapies” and that her work was based on neurological knowledge (PMC – Ayres Theories of Autism and Sensory Integration Revisited). Her pioneering research at USC, following 61 children with learning disabilities over eighteen months, ultimately demonstrated that targeted sensory integration therapy could improve academic performance by an average of 23%.

Her breakthrough revelation was recognising the brain as a self-organising system, one that inherently seeks to make sense of incoming sensory information. When children cannot properly integrate sensory input, it’s like attempting to solve a puzzle with half the pieces upside down.

What Is Sensory Integration

What Is Sensory Integration?

Think of sensory integration as your brain’s ultimate multitasking system. It continuously processes information from both your environment and your body, organising everything so you can function effectively in the world. When this system operates smoothly, children can focus, learn, and behave appropriately. When it is not operating smoothly, you might encounter a child who appears incredibly bright but struggles with seemingly simple tasks. Dr. Ayres was amongst the first to recognise these “hidden disabilities”, or children who appeared fine superficially, but experienced significant difficulty making sense of their sensory world.

The Seven Senses: Beyond Primary School Learning

Whilst most of us learnt about five senses at school, we’ve been shortchanging ourselves. There are seven senses targeted in sensory integration therapy that work collaboratively to help us navigate the world.

Visual
Auditory
Tactile
Olfactory
Gustatory
Vestibular (balance and spatial orientation)
Proprioceptive (body awareness and position)

The last two represent the true unsung heroes and are often the most misunderstood. Multiple sources validate vestibular and proprioceptive systems as “the sixth and seventh senses” that are often overlooked but crucial for development (Eyas Landing; Ochsner Health). The vestibular system, located in your inner ear, prevents you from falling over when you close your eyes. Proprioception enables you to touch your nose in darkness or climb stairs without constantly watching your feet. PMC research provides neurobiological support for how these “hidden senses” work together during movement and spatial awareness (PubMed Central).

The Science: How Sensory Play Transforms the Brain

Cognitive Development

Here’s where science becomes truly fascinating: rich sensory experiences don’t just provide entertainment, but they also create whole-body memories that become building blocks for future learning. Children essentially develop their own comprehensive database of how the world operates. Dr. Carla Hannaford, who researches brain function, explains that sensory stimulation triggers neurotransmitter release, which is the brain’s method of sending messages between neurones. Each new connection becomes integrated into their learning and memory systems.

Michigan State University Extension confirms that sensory play “is the foundation of all the skills children will use in school learning to read, write and solve maths and science problems” (MSU Extension: Cognitive development and sensory play).

When your toddler methodically squishes every piece of Play-Doh, they’re constructing the neural architecture they’ll later use for mathematics, reading, and problem-solving. These foundational skills developed through sensory play become the cornerstone for academic readiness, supporting everything from pre-writing abilities to classroom focus and attention.

Language Development

Notice how your three-year-old transforms into a poet during water play? “It’s cold and splashy and makes my hands feel tingly!” They’re not merely being adorable (though they certainly are), they are also building descriptive vocabulary that will serve them for years to come. Sensory play provides countless opportunities for children to verbalise experiences, communicate with peers, and express thoughts and feelings. It’s essentially vocabulary development disguised as pure enjoyment.

Motor Abilities

All that pouring, mixing, building, and squishing isn’t just entertaining, it’s comprehensive training for future tasks. Every manipulation during sensory play strengthens small muscles and coordination required for writing, shoe-tying, and coat-zipping. It’s like attending the world’s most enjoyable physiotherapy session.

Emotional Regulation and Social Connection

Here’s something that might surprise you: sensory play provides remarkable calming effects for most children. Activities offering deep pressure, like digging in sand or kneading dough, help regulate their nervous system and reduce stress. It’s like a built-in anxiety reducer that also happens to be educational. When children feel overwhelmed or anxious, sometimes the most effective intervention is a well-chosen sensory experience.

Lauren McNamara’s research on break time reinforces these findings about the emotional and social benefits of play. In her article “Why Break Time Matters More than Ever: The science behind the push for more play and social connection at school,” McNamara explains that “Break time is a social space and play makes children happy. Break time is far more than a break from instruction…it is a time for fresh air and daily physical activity.” When students have an opportunity to connect with their peers throughout the day, it most often happens outside of instructional times, often on the playground.

What makes play particularly powerful is its voluntary nature. Play is something we do because we want to, not because we have to. This autonomy is crucial for children because it gives them a sense of control and predictability that allows them to feel safe and secure. Both laughter and physically active play trigger the release of oxytocin and serotonin. These chemicals relieve tension and buffer against further stress (McNamara & Vaillancourt, 2021).

However, it’s crucial to understand that children don’t all respond to sensory input identically. Some crave intense sensory experiences whilst others find them overwhelming. Learning to recognise these individual sensory processing differences enables parents to tailor activities to their child’s specific needs.

Evidence-Based Benefits: What Research Reveals

Academic Outcomes

Dr. Ayres didn’t merely theorise; she also tested rigorously. In her pivotal controlled study at the University of Southern California, children with learning disabilities who received sensory integration intervention scored 18 points higher on standardised academic tests compared to control groups. Children struggling with auditory-language processing made significant gains, as did those with more general learning challenges.

Recent research validates these findings. PubMed research demonstrates that “sensory integration intervention with consultation in the education setting can improve school performance and participation for children with sensory integration and processing challenges” (PubMed – A Sensory Integration Intervention in the School Setting).

This research reveals a fascinating connection: when you optimise a child’s sensory system function, academic performance often follows suit. Neural pathways built through sensory play become the foundation for complex school skills like reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and multi-step direction following.

Brain Development

Research consistently demonstrates that sensory-rich environments literally enhance neural connections, supporting language development, cognitive skills, and literacy. When young children engage multiple senses including touching, tasting, smelling, and listening, they then process tremendous amounts of information that aids language and communication understanding. It’s like receiving multiple data streams that all contribute to world comprehension.

Evidence for Sensory Integration Effectiveness

Research shows promising results for sensory integration interventions:

The Autism Research Journal concluded that “based on CEC criteria, ASI can be considered an evidence-based practice for children with autism ages 4-12 years old” (Autism Research Journal: A systematic review of ayres sensory integration intervention)
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy found “moderate evidence to support the use of ASI” in a systematic review (AJOT – Effectiveness of Ayres Sensory Integration)
A Korean meta-analysis of 24 studies confirmed “the effectiveness of sensory integration intervention” (PMC – Korean Meta-Analysis)

Foundation Skills

The benefits of sensory play read like every parent’s developmental wish list: enhanced brain development, improved memory, stronger problem-solving abilities, refined fine motor skills, better language and social capabilities, sharper observation skills, increased creative and independent thinking, and superior emotional regulation. Quite impressive for activities that primarily involve making messes!

Practical Activities for Parents: Bringing Science Home

Parents don’t need advanced degrees or significant financial investment to provide amazing sensory experiences. The key lies in understanding which activities work best for a child’s current developmental stage and creating an environment supporting their sensory needs. As outlined in developmentally appropriate practice guidelines, the most effective activities are those that match children’s developmental capabilities whilst providing appropriate challenges (Brillante et al., 2023).

Water Play

Fill containers with various sized openings, add sponges, funnels, and measuring cups, then observe the magic unfold. Parents can enhance complexity with different sized tubes and objects requiring perfect matches. There’s something almost meditative about watching children determine which tube fits which object, all whilst developing spatial reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

Tactile Exploration

Sensory bins represent a parent’s secret weapon. Fill containers with rice, pasta, dried beans, or whatever safe materials are available. Allow free exploration and discovery. There’s something deeply satisfying about running hands through rice, and adults enjoy this too! These activities strengthen fine motor skills whilst providing calming sensory input.

Movement Activities

Activities such as rolling, hanging, swinging, and jumping all involve moving the body through space, and likely benefit a child’s development. Create obstacle courses with settee cushions, practise “animal walks” like bear crawls, or crab walks or simply allow floor rolling. All movement helps develop crucial vestibular and proprioceptive systems supporting balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.

The neurochemical benefits McNamara describes, with the release of oxytocin and serotonin through physical play, make these movement activities particularly valuable for emotional regulation and stress relief. When children engage in vigorous physical play, they’re not just building motor skills; they’re actively supporting their mental health and emotional well-being.

Messy Play

Many parents understand that the mess can feel overwhelming; but there’s something magical about finger painting, or squishing paint between toes, that brushes simply cannot replicate. If parents aren’t ready for full-scale mess adventures, they can try placing paint and paper in sealed plastic bags for mess-free exploration. Children receive sensory benefits whilst parental sanity remains intact.

Nature-Based Experiences

The outdoors functions as one giant sensory playground. Collect leaves with different textures, feel bark on various trees, play in sand, walk barefoot on grass, or simply sit and listen to surrounding sounds. Nature provides sensory input that literally cannot be purchased. These outdoor experiences also provide fresh air and physical activity that McNamara emphasises as crucial for children’s well-being.

Daily Life Opportunities

Here’s wonderful news: parents are probably already providing sensory experiences without realising it. Bath time, mealtime, dressing; all these everyday activities represent opportunities to support sensory development. Let children assist with cooking, explore different textures during baths, or play with food a little (yes, permission granted!).

Supporting Individual Differences: When “Just a Phase” Might Be Something More

Like adults, every child processes sensory information differently, and some are sensory seekers, craving intense input; they’re the furniture jumpers and crash-enthusiasts. Others prefer gentler experiences and are more sensitive to stimulation. Recent research suggests that recognising individual children’s preferences and adapting accordingly represents the key to success.

But how do parents distinguish between typical development and signs that their child might benefit from additional support? Understanding the difference between temporary phases and potential sensory processing challenges helps parents provide appropriate support at optimal times. Developmentally appropriate practice emphasises the importance of observing individual children and adapting experiences to meet their unique needs and interests (Brillante et al., 2023).

For Sensitive Children:

• Start with familiar, preferred textures
• Allow observation before participation
• Respect boundaries whilst gently encouraging exploration
• Remember “no” doesn’t mean “never”, perhaps just “not today”

For Sensory-Seeking Children:

• Provide intense input like weighted blankets or bear hugs
• Offer abundant vigorous movement opportunities
• Build regular sensory breaks throughout the day
• Understand their intense input needs aren’t misbehaviour—it’s their nervous system requesting what it requires

Creating the Right Environment for Sensory Development

Supporting sensory development doesn’t require complete home renovation or expensive equipment. Small, thoughtful modifications to existing spaces can create powerful sensory learning opportunities. From kitchen to sitting room, every area has potential for sensory-rich experiences.

The key insight from McNamara’s research about children needing control and predictability applies here as well. When children can choose their level of sensory engagement, such as when to participate, how intensely, and for how long, they then develop the self-regulation skills that will serve them throughout life. This aligns with developmentally appropriate practice principles that emphasise child choice and autonomy in learning experiences (Brillante et al., 2023).

St. Andrews International School, Sukhumvit 107 is a World-Class school for pupils aged 2-18. As part of Cognita, a global school network of over 70 schools, S107 offers the English National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Programme. The S107 Early Years Centre champions a holistic approach to Early Education, where children learn in purposefully designed indoor and outdoor settings. Fundamental to this is Early Years Sensory Play, which enables children to grasp the concept of cause and effect. This process supports crucial brain development, enhances memory, and develops their problem-solving abilities. When taken outdoors, these activities are particularly valuable for promoting motor skills, whilst fostering a natural curiosity about the world and building a child’s confidence and independence.

The Critical Importance of Early Intervention

For children with learning difficulties or developmental differences, understanding early childhood brain flexibility proves crucial. It’s like having an opportunity window that gradually closes as children age. The earlier appropriate intervention types and intensities are provided, the stronger foundational brain skills can be built.

By adulthood, a child’s brain will have pruned away approximately half of those early neural connections. This makes creating positive, accurate learning experiences early on so important, and those pathways become the motorways their brain uses throughout life.

From Sensory Play to Academic Success: The Long-Term Connection

The science couldn’t be clearer: sensory play transcends entertainment or busy work. When rich sensory experiences are provided during crucial early years, neural pathways that will support complex thinking and problem-solving for life are literally strengthened. It’s like providing a child’s brain with workouts that pay dividends for decades.

Skills developed through sensory play, such as attention, focus, motor planning, emotional regulation, and sensory processing, become the foundation for academic learning. Children with strong sensory foundations often demonstrate better school readiness, improved classroom behaviour, and enhanced learning outcomes.

The social and emotional benefits that McNamara highlights; the happiness, stress relief, and peer connections that come from play, create an optimal state for learning. When children feel happy, secure, and connected, their brains are primed for absorbing new information and making neural connections.

Every exploration, manipulation, and play opportunity provided helps children learn about their world whilst developing lifelong skills. Teachers understand this, and exceptional early childhood classrooms overflow with touchable, moveable, explorable materials. The same principle applies at home: every sensory experience offered represents an investment in a child’s future.

Making It Work for Your Family

Here’s the beautiful truth: expensive equipment or Pinterest-perfect setups aren’t necessary. Some of the most powerful learning occurs through simple, everyday experiences shared with loving caregivers. A cardboard box, dried pasta, and parental attention can provide equal developmental benefits to the fanciest educational toys.

The key involves understanding a child’s developmental stage, recognising their individual sensory preferences, and creating growth-supporting environments. Whether working with a newborn just beginning to explore the world through senses or a preschooler ready for complex sensory challenges, simple strategies exist that parents can implement immediately to support their development.

Remember McNamara’s insight that play is something children do because they want to, not because they have to. This voluntary nature of play is this element of choice and control and is what makes it so powerful for development. When parents follow their children’s lead in play, respecting their preferences and boundaries whilst offering rich sensory opportunities, they create the optimal conditions for learning and growth.

So, the next time your child wants to help cook and ends up with flour in their hair, or they spend an hour transferring water between containers, remember, you’re not just tolerating play, you’re supporting an incredible developing brain, belonging to someone learning to understand their world, one sensory experience at a time. You’re also supporting their emotional well-being, social development, and lifelong love of learning through the simple but profound act of play.

References and Sources:

PubMed Central (PMC) Sources

Early Brain Development and Public Health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11526699/
Brain Development and the Role of Experience in the Early Years: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3722610/
Brain and Behavioural Plasticity in the Developing Brain: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2807801/
Early Experience and Brain Development: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8103659/
Experience-based Brain Development: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2528649/
The Role of Nutrition in Brain Development: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4981537/
The Science of Brain and Biological Development: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3222573/
Brain Development, Child Development – Adult Health and Well-being: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2830783/
Early Adverse Experiences and the Developing Brain: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4677140/
Environmental Conditions to Promote Healthy Childhood Brain Development: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9291732/

Frontiers in Education

Beyond Play: A Comparative Study of Multi-sensory and Traditional Toys: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2024.1182660/full
The Impact of Multisensory Learning Model-based Tale-telling: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/education/articles/10.3389/feduc.2023.1137042/full
Exploring the Role of Learning Through Play: https://frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1103311/full

Frontiers in Psychology

Electronic Toys Decrease Language in Children with ASD: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.929589/full
Neuromarketing Applied to Educational Toy Packaging: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02077/full
Multisensory Interactive Technologies for Primary Education: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01076/full

Journal Articles and Research Papers:

Academic Journal Articles – American Journal of Occupational Therapy

Ayres Sensory Integration Effectiveness Studies:

Schaaf, R. C., Dumont, R. L., Arbesman, M., & May-Benson, T. A. (2018). Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1), 7201190010p1–7201190010p10. Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Systematic Review | The American Journal of Occupational Therapy | American Occupational Therapy Association
- URL: https://research.aota.org/ajot/article-abstract/72/1/7201190010p1/6399/Efficacy-of-Occupational-Therapy-Using-Ayres
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.028431
Omairi, C., Mailloux, Z., Antoniuk, S. A., & Schaaf, R. (2022). Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Brazil. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(4), 7604205160. Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Brazil | The American Journal of Occupational Therapy | American Occupational Therapy Association
- URL: https://research.aota.org/ajot/article/76/4/7604205160/23325/Occupational-Therapy-Using-Ayres-Sensory
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.048249
Andelin, L., Reynolds, S., & Schoen, S. (2021). Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration Approach: A Multiple-Baseline Design Study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(6), 7506205030. Effectiveness of Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration Approach: A Multiple-Baseline Design Study | The American Journal of Occupational Therapy | American Occupational Therapy Association
- URL: https://research.aota.org/ajot/article-abstract/75/6/7506205030/23078/Effectiveness-of-Occupational-Therapy-Using-a
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.044917

Autism Research Journal

Schoen, S. A., Lane, S. J., Mailloux, Z., May-Benson, T., Parham, L. D., Smith Roley, S., & Schaaf, R. C. (2019). A systematic review of ayres sensory integration intervention for children with autism. Autism Research, 12(1), 6-19. NCBI Wiley Online Library

URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/aur.2046
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30548827/
PMC: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6590432/
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2046

Developmental Psychology 2024 Study

Educational Organizations and Resources

NAEYC Publication

Brillante, P., Chen, J. J., Cuevas, S., Dundorf, C., Brown Hoffman, E., Meier, D. R., Mindes, G., & Roy, L. R. (Eds.). (2023). Casebook: Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8. Washington, DC: NAEYC.NAEYCNaeyc

URL: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/books/dap-casebook
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Casebook-Developmentally-Appropriate-Practice-Childhood/dp/1952331129
ISBN: 9781952331121

Education Canada

McNamara, L., & Vaillancourt, T. (2021). “Why Break Time Matters More than Ever” – Education Canada

Publisher: EdCan Network
Magazine Website: https://www.edcan.ca/
Archive: https://www.edcan.ca/magazine/archives/
Note: This specific article would need to be accessed through the Education Canada magazine archives for 2021 issues.

Sensory-Related Educational Resources

Eyas Landing – The Sixth and Seventh Senses: Eyas Landing. (2022, February 18). The Sixth and Seven Senses: The Vestibular and Proprioceptive Systems. Home – Therapeutic Clinic – Chicago – Eyas Landing

URL: https://eyaslanding.com/the-vestibular-and-proprioceptive-systems-the-sixth-and-seven-senses/

Ochsner Health – Understanding the Seven Senses: Ochsner Health. Vestibular System and Proprioception: The Two Unknown Senses. Ochsner Health System – Wikipedia