Fostering your child’s development is a critical component of child care. While that may sound complicated, you don’t actually have to be an expert in early childhood education to have an impact. Facilitating both physical and cognitive development can be as simple as giving your son or daughter sensory toys. 

What Are Sensory Toys?

Sensory toys aim to fully engage at least one of the five senses. Developed by child care experts who specialize in sensory development, these toys add an extra element to playtime by stimulating a physical or cognitive response while in use. 

Sensory toys designed to engage sight might contain bright colors and contrasting features to spark visual interest. Those in the sound category, on the other hand, might have bells, whistles, or crinkly material that prompts an auditory response. There are also sensory toys that stimulate touch, smell, and taste. 

Why Are Sensory Toys Beneficial?

From the day they’re born, children rely on their senses to understand the world around them. If you’ve ever cared for a toddler, it probably comes as no surprise that young kids like to engage their surroundings through sensory exploration. Examining things using sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell allows children to recognize patterns, which they can later recall as needed. This is the foundation of cognitive development because it establishes new nerve connections in the brain’s pathways. 

Sensory toys simulate the ways in which children like to explore their environment by encouraging exploration. Playing with them allows young children to establish their thresholds for receiving sensory information. This, in turn, strengthens the connections in their brain. 

The child care experts at Kids & Cribs Early Childhood Enrichment Center incorporate sensory toys into all their programs. Located in Fort Thomas, KY, this family-owned and operated child care center has been teaching little ones since 1984. With a broad range of programs designed for infants, school-age children, and everyone in between, they can meet your family’s child care needs. To learn more about the services they offer, visit their website. To talk to a member of their team, call (859) 441-5888.