[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":622},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-en-talking-about-senses-play-sensory-activities":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"date":606,"description":607,"extension":608,"image":609,"meta":610,"navigation":611,"path":612,"seo":613,"stem":614,"tags":615,"__hash__":621},"blogEn\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Ftalking-about-senses-play-sensory-activities.md","How do you talk about the senses with your child? Games and activities to support sensory awareness",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":588},"minimark",[9,34,53,58,80,110,114,124,153,164,168,173,188,202,206,229,250,254,275,282,286,309,323,327,337,340,370,388,392,399,439,448,452,471,492,512,516,531,535,572],[10,11,12,13,17,18,21,22,25,26,29,30,33],"p",{},"“Do you hear the bird?”, “Is it soft or rough?”, “Can you smell the cinnamon?” — talking about the ",[14,15,16],"strong",{},"senses"," with a child is not a biology lesson: it is a ",[14,19,20],{},"light"," way to help them ",[14,23,24],{},"put words"," on what their body is experiencing. When the world feels too intense or too flat, a simple vocabulary can become a ",[14,27,28],{},"regulation tool"," (“there’s too much noise in my ears”) long before long sentences. This article offers a ",[14,31,32],{},"playful approach",": everyday games, ideas without a perfectionist Pinterest setup, and pointers so you do not push anyone past their comfort zone.",[10,35,36,37,40,41,44,45,48,49,52],{},"This text is ",[14,38,39],{},"informational",": it does not replace ",[14,42,43],{},"medical or allied health advice",". If your child’s reactions to sensations ",[14,46,47],{},"persistently block"," school, meals, or relationships, speak with a ",[14,50,51],{},"health professional"," (doctor, occupational therapist, psychologist, etc.).",[54,55,57],"h2",{"id":56},"why-play-with-the-senses-instead-of-explaining-them","Why “play with the senses” instead of explaining them?",[10,59,60,61,64,65,68,69,64,72,75,76,79],{},"Young children learn through ",[14,62,63],{},"experience"," and ",[14,66,67],{},"joyful repetition",". Naming a sensation when it happens links ",[14,70,71],{},"lived experience",[14,73,74],{},"language",": what matters most is not the lesson on “the five senses,” but the ",[14,77,78],{},"through-line"," “we notice together what the body is taking in.”",[10,81,82,83,86,87,64,90,93,94,97,98,101,102,109],{},"On the ",[14,84,85],{},"sensory processing"," side — how the nervous system ",[14,88,89],{},"filters",[14,91,92],{},"uses"," sensory information — these small games do not “fix” anything on their own; they mainly help ",[14,95,96],{},"make visible"," preferences (liking or avoiding certain textures, sounds, positions) and avoid interpreting everything as opposition. Resources on ",[14,99,100],{},"development"," and age-related skills, such as the ",[103,104,108],"a",{"href":105,"rel":106},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cdc.gov\u002Fncbddd\u002Fchilddevelopment\u002Findex.html",[107],"nofollow","CDC’s child development pages",", remind us that a wide range of normal variation exists — useful for keeping perspective.",[54,111,113],{"id":112},"a-first-game-the-sensation-radar","A first game: the sensation radar",[10,115,116,119,120,123],{},[14,117,118],{},"Goal:"," practice ",[14,121,122],{},"describing"," without judging.",[10,125,126,129,130,133,134,137,138,141,142,141,145,148,149,152],{},[14,127,128],{},"How:"," during a walk or a bath, you start a ",[14,131,132],{},"hunt",": “Today we’re looking for three ",[14,135,136],{},"rough"," things” (or ",[14,139,140],{},"shiny",", ",[14,143,144],{},"quiet",[14,146,147],{},"nice-smelling"," ones). The child points or picks them up; you ",[14,150,151],{},"repeat"," their words and add a little: “Yes, the bark is rough; it scratches the fingers a bit.”",[10,154,155,156,159,160,163],{},"Express variant: ",[14,157,158],{},"“Soft \u002F loud \u002F medium”"," for sound (clicks of the tongue, footsteps in grass, a squeaky door) or touch (fabric, sponge, rough towel). The point is not performance but the ",[14,161,162],{},"pleasure"," of comparing.",[54,165,167],{"id":166},"games-by-family-of-sensations","Games by “family” of sensations",[169,170,172],"h3",{"id":171},"touch-the-mystery-box-zero-waste-version","Touch: the mystery box (zero-waste version)",[10,174,175,176,179,180,183,184,187],{},"In a cloth bag or closed box, slip in ",[14,177,178],{},"5 everyday objects",": wooden spoon, squash ball, dry sponge, ribbon, bottle cap. The child ",[14,181,182],{},"guesses by touch"," without looking — then you swap roles. For very young children, start with ",[14,185,186],{},"2"," very different objects (soft vs hard).",[10,189,190,193,194,197,198,201],{},[14,191,192],{},"Parent tip:"," if your child ",[14,195,196],{},"refuses"," surprise touch games, start with objects ",[14,199,200],{},"they choose"," and can see; the “mystery” game can wait.",[169,203,205],{"id":204},"hearing-the-living-room-orchestra","Hearing: the living-room orchestra",[10,207,208,209,212,213,216,217,220,221,224,225,228],{},"Close your eyes (or gently blindfold with a scarf). Make a ",[14,210,211],{},"sound"," with an object (scratch a pan, run water, turn a page). The child ",[14,214,215],{},"guesses","; then they conduct the “orchestra.” Add ",[14,218,219],{},"musical directions",": “A ",[14,222,223],{},"tiny"," sound, then a ",[14,226,227],{},"huge"," one!”",[10,230,231,232,235,236,239,240,243,244,249],{},"This builds ",[14,233,234],{},"selective listening"," and vocabulary (high, low, long, short) without a screen. Professionals who support children in ",[14,237,238],{},"everyday activities"," — occupational therapists, in particular — often include this kind of ",[14,241,242],{},"sensory exploration"," in assessments; the ",[103,245,248],{"href":246,"rel":247},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aota.org\u002Fpractice\u002Fchildren-youth\u002F",[107],"AOTA children and youth section"," describes occupational therapy’s role when difficulties persist in daily tasks.",[169,251,253],{"id":252},"sight-shades-of-color-in-one-minute","Sight: shades of color in one minute",[10,255,256,257,260,261,141,264,267,268,270,271,274],{},"On a journey or at the window: “How many different ",[14,258,259],{},"greens"," can you see?” Then ",[14,262,263],{},"blue",[14,265,266],{},"yellow",". For older children: “Find something ",[14,269,140],{}," that isn’t a lamp” or “something ",[14,272,273],{},"striped",".”",[10,276,277,278,281],{},"This slows the rush and trains ",[14,279,280],{},"visual attention"," without a worksheet.",[169,283,285],{"id":284},"smell-and-taste-the-nose-market-without-forcing-eating","Smell and taste: the nose market (without forcing eating)",[10,287,288,289,292,293,296,297,300,301,304,305,308],{},"Offer ",[14,290,291],{},"2 to 3"," strong but safe smells: lemon, vanilla, fresh grass. The child ",[14,294,295],{},"closes their eyes",", smells, and sorts “I like \u002F meh \u002F not a fan.” Same idea at snack time with ",[14,298,299],{},"very small"," bites or even ",[14,302,303],{},"licking"," a dab of yogurt on a spoon — ",[14,306,307],{},"no obligation"," to finish the plate.",[10,310,311,314,315,318,319,322],{},[14,312,313],{},"Important:"," allergies, feeding difficulties, or ",[14,316,317],{},"nausea"," with certain smells = you ",[14,320,321],{},"stop"," the game, without negotiating. Pleasure comes before “sensory progress.”",[169,324,326],{"id":325},"movement-and-position-sensory-statues","Movement and position: sensory statues",[10,328,329,332,333,336],{},[14,330,331],{},"Proprioception"," (pressure sense in muscles and joints) and the ",[14,334,335],{},"vestibular"," system (head movement, balance) matter as much as the textbook “five senses.”",[10,338,339],{},"Simple games:",[341,342,343,354,364],"ul",{},[344,345,346,349,350,353],"li",{},[14,347,348],{},"Run then freeze",": run to the tree, then ",[14,351,352],{},"hold"," a “heavy statue” (knees bent, hands on thighs, “like a rock”).",[344,355,356,359,360,363],{},[14,357,358],{},"Roll"," on a thick mat or get a ",[14,361,362],{},"firm hug"," (gentle roll, pressure suited to age and comfort).",[344,365,366,369],{},[14,367,368],{},"Animal",": “snake crawling” (pressure on the floor), “kangaroo” (small jumps if appropriate).",[10,371,372,373,376,377,141,380,383,384,387],{},"If your child is ",[14,374,375],{},"hypersensitive to movement"," (dizziness, fear of upside-down positions), avoid acrobatics; favor the ",[14,378,379],{},"floor",[14,381,382],{},"wide"," support, and ",[14,385,386],{},"very short"," back-and-forths.",[54,389,391],{"id":390},"weaving-the-senses-into-routines-without-weighing-the-day-down","Weaving the senses into routines (without weighing the day down)",[10,393,394,395,398],{},"A few ",[14,396,397],{},"anchors"," that do not add screen time:",[341,400,401,407,424],{},[344,402,403,406],{},[14,404,405],{},"Getting dressed",": “Sock: soft or a bit tight? Shall we adjust?”",[344,408,409,412,413,141,416,419,420,423],{},[14,410,411],{},"Meals",": “Is it ",[14,414,415],{},"crunchy",[14,417,418],{},"melty",", or ",[14,421,422],{},"sticky","?” (one word is often enough)",[344,425,426,429,430,141,433,419,435,438],{},[14,427,428],{},"Going out",": “Noise level: ",[14,431,432],{},"1",[14,434,186],{},[14,436,437],{},"3"," fingers?” to help plan ear defenders or a break.",[10,440,441,442,447],{},"Organizations such as the ",[103,443,446],{"href":444,"rel":445},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cdc.gov\u002Fncbddd\u002Factearly\u002Fconcerned.html",[107],"CDC"," offer guidance on when to seek help if development or daily life is affected; these playful routines do not replace professional advice if everyday life stays very constrained.",[54,449,451],{"id":450},"adapting-to-temperament-playful-does-not-mean-always-more","Adapting to temperament: playful does not mean “always more”",[10,453,454,455,458,459,462,463,466,467,470],{},"A child ",[14,456,457],{},"seeking sensation"," may want to ",[14,460,461],{},"ramp up"," intensity (jumping, noise, speed): you ",[14,464,465],{},"set"," safety and places, while offering ",[14,468,469],{},"slots"," to “discharge” before homework or dinner.",[10,472,473,474,477,478,141,481,484,485,487,488,491],{},"A ",[14,475,476],{},"hypersensitive"," child may prefer ",[14,479,480],{},"short",[14,482,483],{},"predictable"," games with an immediate ",[14,486,321],{}," option. The message “senses are fun” must stay compatible with ",[14,489,490],{},"“no thanks, not today”"," — otherwise play becomes an ordeal.",[10,493,494,495,497,498,503,504,507,508,511],{},"Research syntheses on ",[14,496,85],{}," are available through databases such as ",[103,499,502],{"href":500,"rel":501},"https:\u002F\u002Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002F",[107],"PubMed","; they confirm strong research interest while reminding us of ",[14,505,506],{},"diversity"," across profiles — a good reason to stay ",[14,509,510],{},"flexible"," and kind in what you offer.",[54,513,515],{"id":514},"in-short","In short",[10,517,518,519,522,523,526,527,530],{},"Talking about the senses with your child is mainly ",[14,520,521],{},"naming together"," what they experience, ",[14,524,525],{},"playing"," at comparing and observing, and ",[14,528,529],{},"respecting"," their limits. You do not need a perfect workshop: a bag, a scarf, cupboard objects, and five minutes are often enough to open the conversation — and strengthen your bond.",[54,532,534],{"id":533},"go-further","Go further",[10,536,537,538,541,542,545,546,552,553,556,557,560,561,64,564,567,568,571],{},"If you want a ",[14,539,540],{},"structured"," view of your child’s sensory processing in ",[14,543,544],{},"concrete"," everyday situations — beyond one-off games — you can ",[14,547,548],{},[103,549,551],{"href":550},"\u002Fen\u002Fchat","start the questionnaire on Sensorikid",": a guided conversational flow, ",[14,554,555],{},"inspired by Winnie Dunn’s model",", to spot ",[14,558,559],{},"action ideas"," suited to your context. The service runs ",[14,562,563],{},"without an account",[14,565,566],{},"without storing your personal data"," on our servers; answers stay on your device. The full version is ",[14,569,570],{},"€5",", deliberately affordable compared with an in-depth in-clinic assessment.",[10,573,574,575,579,580,584,585,587],{},"For more articles on hypersensitivity, sensory profiles, or daily life, see the ",[103,576,578],{"href":577},"\u002Fen\u002Fblog","blog"," and the ",[103,581,583],{"href":582},"\u002Fen\u002F","home page",". If you have concerns about your child’s health or development, contact a ",[14,586,51],{},": only qualified advice can point you to the right support.",{"title":589,"searchDepth":590,"depth":590,"links":591},"",2,[592,593,594,602,603,604,605],{"id":56,"depth":590,"text":57},{"id":112,"depth":590,"text":113},{"id":166,"depth":590,"text":167,"children":595},[596,598,599,600,601],{"id":171,"depth":597,"text":172},3,{"id":204,"depth":597,"text":205},{"id":252,"depth":597,"text":253},{"id":284,"depth":597,"text":285},{"id":325,"depth":597,"text":326},{"id":390,"depth":590,"text":391},{"id":450,"depth":590,"text":451},{"id":514,"depth":590,"text":515},{"id":533,"depth":590,"text":534},"2026-03-27","Simple games to name the senses with your child: touch, hearing, sight, taste, smell, and movement. Playful everyday activities, no expensive kit required.","md",null,{},true,"\u002Fen\u002Fblog\u002Ftalking-about-senses-play-sensory-activities",{"title":5,"description":607},"en\u002Fblog\u002Ftalking-about-senses-play-sensory-activities",[616,617,618,619,85,620],"sensory profile","child","parents","play","everyday life","5OpQDrczshEblXPXLpnhRg1Rw8i50Fdoyq33ncHU_vM",1775505636704]