We believe hands-on experiences are the best way for young children to learn and express themselves. Sensory play is not only a wonderful way to develop fine motor skills and creativity — it also provides a fun, calming space for little ones to explore their feelings.
This Mother’s Day, why not combine sensory play with a celebration of the special mums and mother figures in our children’s lives? Here are some lovely, easy-to-set-up sensory ideas that help children engage, create and show their love.
Floral Water Play
Add flower petals, herbs (like mint or rosemary), and citrus slices to a shallow tub of water. Toss in cups, spoons and small jugs for pouring and scooping.
Let the children mix their own “perfume” or “tea” for Mum — they’ll love the scents and textures, and it’s a beautiful way to explore nature through the senses.
Mother’s Day Playdough Station
Create a playdough set-up using calming colours like lavender, rose pink and soft yellow. Add dried flowers, buttons, shells and natural elements to decorate with.
You can even add a few drops of essential oils (lavender is a favourite!) to give the dough a soothing scent. Children can sculpt hearts, flowers or “cakes” for Mum, using their hands and imaginations to craft one-of-a-kind gifts.
Sensory Rice or Pasta Tray
Dye rice or pasta in soft pastel colours and fill a tray or tub. Add scoops, heart-shaped cutters, and small containers for sorting and filling.
Pop in laminated photos of mums (if available) or little notes that say things like “I love you because…” for the children to find and read aloud.
Nature Collage Sensory Table
Set out natural items like leaves, bark, gum nuts, dried flowers and feathers alongside glue sticks and paper.
Encourage children to create a special collage for their mum — a visual and tactile way to show their love using the beauty of the outdoors.
Sensory play encourages children to connect their feelings with action — whether they’re creating a gift, mixing scents that remind them of Mum, or just having a calm moment in the middle of a busy day.
Wishing all our Sorella mums a beautiful, joy-filled Mother’s Day. Your love is at the heart of everything we do.
If you’re looking for a fun and energetic way to celebrate Easter, a Bunny Hop Race is the perfect game for all ages. It’s easy to organise, gets everyone moving, and adds a competitive edge to your festivities.
Choose a spacious area such as a backyard, park, or even a large indoor space. Mark a clear start and finish line using cones, string, or chalk to set up the racecourse. Each participant will need a burlap sack or pillowcase to hop in, making sure they hold the edges securely before the race begins. For an extra festive touch, encourage racers to wear bunny ears or tails to add to the excitement.
Once everyone is ready, set the rules to keep the competition fair and fun. Racers must hop their way to the finish line without stepping out of their sack. If they fall, they simply get back up and keep hopping. The first person to cross the finish line wins, and small prizes can make the victory even sweeter.
To make the race even more entertaining, try adding creative twists. A relay version, where teams pass a plastic egg between racers, adds teamwork to the challenge. An obstacle course with small jumps or turns increases the difficulty, making it even more exciting. For extra laughs, organise a parents-versus-children race and see who has the best hopping skills.
A Bunny Hop Race is a simple yet thrilling Easter activity that guarantees laughter and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re hosting a family picnic or an Easter party, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Dyeing Easter eggs with natural ingredients is a wonderful way to embrace the tradition while avoiding artificial dyes. With simple kitchen staples, you can create a stunning array of colours that bring a rustic, organic charm to your Easter celebrations.
Start by selecting the right eggs—white eggs will produce brighter hues, while brown eggs will give you deeper, more earthy tones. Vinegar is an essential ingredient, as it helps set the dye, ensuring vibrant and lasting colours.
To make your natural dyes, gather ingredients like turmeric for yellow, red cabbage for blue, beets for pink, spinach for green, onion skins for orange, and blueberries for purple. Each ingredient should be simmered in water for about 15 to 30 minutes before being strained and cooled. Adding vinegar to the mixture will enhance the dyeing process.
Once your dyes are ready, submerge hard-boiled eggs into the cooled liquid. For subtle shades, leave them in for about 30 minutes, but if you’re after rich, bold tones, let them soak overnight in the fridge. Once removed, allow the eggs to dry naturally on a rack or paper towel. For an added touch, rubbing them with a bit of coconut or olive oil will give them a gentle shine.
Experimenting with natural Easter egg dyes is not only a fun family activity but also a sustainable way to celebrate. Try layering different colours or mixing shades to create unique, one-of-a-kind designs that showcase the beauty of nature.
Sensory play is an essential part of early childhood education, helping children explore the world around them through touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. At Sorella Early Learning, we incorporate sensory activities into our curriculum because they encourage cognitive growth, fine motor development, and creativity. Let’s explore why sensory play is so important for young learners.
1. Supports Brain Development
Sensory play strengthens the brain’s ability to process information. When children engage in activities like playing with sand, exploring different textures, or mixing colours, they build connections in their brain that enhance memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
2. Enhances Fine Motor Skills
Manipulating small objects, scooping, pouring, and grasping different materials help develop fine motor skills. These skills are essential for tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils. Activities like playing with playdough, threading beads, or finger painting all contribute to strengthening hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
3. Encourages Creativity and Exploration
Sensory play allows children to experiment with different materials, textures, and substances. Whether they are mixing colours, playing with water, or creating with clay, these experiences spark creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills. Sensory exploration also encourages children to make discoveries on their own, fostering independence and confidence.
4. Promotes Emotional Regulation
Engaging in sensory play can be a calming and therapeutic experience for young children. Activities like playing with kinetic sand, using sensory bins, or engaging in water play help children manage emotions, reduce anxiety, and self-soothe. Sensory play provides a safe space for children to express themselves and feel in control of their environment.
5. Encourages Social and Language Development
Many sensory activities involve group play, which helps children develop important social skills. Through sharing, taking turns, and discussing their sensory experiences, children strengthen their communication and collaboration skills. Talking about textures, smells, and sensations also enhances vocabulary and language development.
At Sorella Early Learning, we embrace sensory play as a vital part of a child’s early education. By engaging their senses, children build essential skills that support cognitive, social, and emotional growth, all while having fun and exploring their creativity.
Reading to your child every day is one of the most powerful ways to support their development. At Sorella Early Learning, we encourage daily reading because it nurtures language skills, builds emotional connections, and fosters a lifelong love of learning. Whether it’s a bedtime story or a quiet moment during the day, here’s why daily reading is so beneficial.
1. Expands Language and Vocabulary
Children absorb new words and sentence structures when they hear stories read aloud. Exposure to rich language in books helps expand their vocabulary, improves comprehension, and strengthens communication skills. Even before they start speaking, babies benefit from hearing words and sounds, setting the stage for future literacy development.
2. Enhances Cognitive Development
Books introduce children to new ideas, concepts, and ways of thinking. Stories encourage problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking as children engage with characters, predict what happens next, and relate events to their own lives. Reading together also helps strengthen memory and concentration.
3. Encourages a Love for Learning
Children who develop a love for reading early are more likely to enjoy learning throughout their lives. Making reading an enjoyable and comforting activity helps children associate books with positive experiences, building a foundation for future academic success.
4. Strengthens Parent-Child Bonds
Reading together creates a special opportunity for connection and closeness. Sitting down with a book provides undistracted one-on-one time, which fosters emotional security and strengthens your child’s bond with you. This sense of comfort and routine can also help children feel calm and ready for sleep at bedtime.
5. Supports Emotional and Social Development
Books introduce children to different emotions, experiences, and perspectives. Through stories, they learn about kindness, empathy, and how to navigate different social situations. Reading books with diverse characters and themes helps children develop an understanding of the world around them.
At Sorella Early Learning, we encourage families to make reading a daily habit, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. Whether it’s a picture book, a nursery rhyme, or a favourite bedtime story, reading together supports learning, communication, and emotional connection in ways that last a lifetime.
The Importance of Sensory Play in Early Learning
Sensory play is an essential part of early childhood education, helping children explore the world around them through touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. At Sorella Early Learning, we incorporate sensory activities into our curriculum because they encourage cognitive growth, fine motor development, and creativity. Let’s explore why sensory play is so important for young learners.
Play is a powerful tool in early childhood education, not just for learning but also for building self-confidence. For young children, play is where they make sense of the world around them, test their ideas, and develop a sense of autonomy. Through play, children explore their abilities and realise what they are capable of, and it is through these experiences that they build a positive sense of self.
At Sorella Early Learning, we recognise the importance of fostering self-confidence through a play-based approach. When children engage in imaginative play, role-playing, or cooperative activities, they are encouraged to take risks, make decisions, and solve problems. Whether they’re building with blocks, creating stories with friends, or experimenting with different art materials, they are learning to trust their ideas and abilities.
It’s essential for children to experience success in these activities. When a child completes a puzzle, creates something with their own hands, or works with peers to overcome a challenge, they gain a sense of accomplishment. These small successes are vital stepping stones in building self-confidence.
Equally important is creating an environment where children feel safe to fail and try again. Failure is often seen as a negative experience, but for young children, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. By encouraging persistence and a growth mindset, we teach children that challenges are not barriers, but part of the learning process.
Through play, children also develop social skills, learn to navigate relationships, and gain confidence in their ability to communicate their ideas. As they interact with their peers, they learn how to express themselves, negotiate, and work together. These skills not only contribute to their sense of self-worth but also prepare them for future social interactions.
Incorporating opportunities for children to take on leadership roles, whether in group activities or decision-making, can also help build their confidence. When children are given the space to lead, they develop a sense of responsibility and ownership over their environment and actions.
Ultimately, helping children build self-confidence through play is about providing them with the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and celebrate their successes. It’s an approach that empowers children to believe in themselves and their potential, equipping them with the skills and resilience they need for future success.
