Every day, all day, we experience a variety of sensory input. Sensory stimulation may be from a touch, a breeze, the temperature of a room, how our clothing feels against our body, the sounds we hear, what we see or smell, or even how our bodies feel at any given time.

Some children are very sensitive to external stimulation, while others do not seem to notice sensory input that causes actual pain or injury. Having a sensory processing system that is not functioning properly makes it difficult to interact and function on a daily basis. When the sensory information cannot be processed and managed effectively, a child is unable to properly interpret and understand their surroundings, or even what they are feeling.

Children learn through their exploration of their world. Play is how they explore and learn and grow. Through play a child uses all of their senses (see other pages for sensory systems on the TheraPlay4Kids.com website) into order to explore and learn – they use touch, taste, smell, proprioceptive/movement, vision, body awareness, and so on while they play and interact.

Having a variety of sensory input, sensory experience, and sensory sensation, helps to promote the development and maturation of a child’s sensory systems. When there is a sensory integration processing deficit, normal development of play and exploratory skills are significantly impacted – for those children use of sensory boxes and other organized, planned, sensory integration activities can provide specific stimulation and input under more focused conditions.

As with any sensory activity, never force a child to participate. You may need to present an activity numerous times before they will interact, accept, or tolerate the item or activity. Continue to offer the experiences and activities giving the child some control as to whether or not they will participate. For some children, just being next to and looking at certain items is a start.

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