Stimulate Your Toddler or Preschooler's Senses Through Fall Sensory Play

Sensory play is very important for toddlers and preschoolers. Young children learn so much about the world through play that uses their five senses. Here are some ideas for fall sensory play for your toddler or preschooler.

Touch. There are a variety of ways to let your child explore his sense of touch this fall. Let him crunch up leaves in his hands to make confetti. If you are making jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, let your child scoop out the "guts" with his hands. Always use descriptive words when talking about how the items feel. If your child is old enough you can even ask him to describe how each item feels.

Taste. Make sure your toddler or preschooler gets the opportunity to taste special fall foods. Fall favorites like pumpkin and apple treats are a must taste. For some special fall recipes to try with your toddler or preschooler check out these fall favorites.

Sight. There are lots of ways to stimulate your child's sense of sight in the fall. Go for a ride in the car to look at all the colorful trees, or stroll through the park looking for a variety of leaf colors. Visit a pumpkin farm to see all of the orange pumpkins scattered through a field. Fall festivals also abound during the season. Make some festival visits so your child can see fall displays, fall foods being prepared, and lots of interesting people.

Sound. Sound is also a very important part of sensory play. When you go outside to play in the leaves, ask your toddler or preschooler what they sound like, or describe the sound of the leaves yourself using creative adjectives. Listen to Halloween songs in the car. Or take advantage of musical acts at the fall festivals you visit.

Smell. Smell is an often neglected sense when it comes to sensory play. Fall is a great time to stimulate your toddler or preschooler's sense of smell. Before he eats any of the fall favorites you cook together, ask him to describe the smell. Smell the leaves outside. Even visit a candle store and smell various fall scents such as apple and pumpkin and take time to describe the scents and explain that they are common seasonal smells during the fall.