When you watch a baby reach for the grass beneath them, wiggle their toes in soft sand, or splash joyfully in water, you’re witnessing something profound. These simple, natural moments aren’t just adorable—they are crucial developmental experiences. As a psychologist who works with early childhood development, I often speak with parents and early years practitioners about the value of intentional sensory engagement in the first year of life. It’s more than play—it’s a powerful tool for building the foundations of learning, emotional regulation, and secure attachment.
Why Sensory Experiences Matter in Early Life
A baby is born with a brain that is beautifully prepared to grow in response to the world. Sensory experiences—sight, touch, sound, smell, taste, movement—stimulate connections between neurons in the brain. These connections form the architecture for all later cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
As Shonkoff and Phillips (2000) highlight in their landmark report, From Neurons to Neighborhoods, early experiences actually shape the architecture of the developing brain. The more rich, varied, and safe sensory exposures a baby has, the stronger and more flexible these neural connections become.
But the key word here is “safe.” Sensory experiences must feel nurturing, not overwhelming. Babies thrive when caregivers tune in to their cues, adjusting stimulation levels to match the baby’s comfort zone. This co-regulation of sensory experience builds trust and promotes emotional security.
Grass, Sand, Water: Nature’s Sensory Gifts
Let’s explore three natural sensory experiences that are particularly rich for babies: grass, sand, and water.
1. Grass: A Gateway to Texture and Curiosity
The feel of grass under fingers and toes introduces a baby to fine tactile distinctions: soft versus coarse, damp versus dry. Grass also encourages tummy time and crawling, providing not just sensory feedback but also gross motor development.
Exposure to outdoor environments like grassy areas has also been linked to reduced stress in infants and young children (Chawla, 2015). Even brief moments on a picnic blanket or under a tree canopy can help regulate arousal systems in babies who are learning how to manage the world.
2. Sand: Building Body Awareness and Creativity
Playing in sand—whether with fingers, feet, or simple containers—engages proprioceptive and tactile systems. Babies learn about cause and effect (e.g., what happens when they squeeze or pat sand) and can explore textures that are both dry and wet. These interactions help integrate sensory information and build coordination.
Sand play is also linked to early problem-solving and imaginative play skills. According to Piagetian theory, sensory play like this supports early sensorimotor exploration, a stage crucial in the first two years of life (Piaget, 1952).
3. Water: Calm and Connection
Water provides a uniquely soothing sensory experience. Whether it’s splashing in a basin, playing with droplets, or simply floating in a bath, water can help calm the nervous system. Research shows that water-based sensory play can reduce stress responses and support emotional regulation (Bundy et al., 2008).
In addition, water play offers opportunities for attunement and bonding. When a caregiver mirrors a baby’s joyful splash or helps them fill and pour, they reinforce trust, communication, and social-emotional connection.
Other Key Sensory Opportunities
Beyond nature, everyday life is filled with meaningful sensory experiences for babies:
Textiles: Soft blankets, crinkly toys, or different clothing fabrics engage tactile curiosity. Sounds: Rattles, gentle music, or the caregiver’s voice help build auditory processing and language foundations. Scents: Natural smells (like flowers, herbs, or familiar home scents) provide olfactory input that can support memory and comfort. Movement: Rocking, bouncing, or being gently swayed supports the vestibular system, which is essential for balance and coordination.
Supporting Sensory Development: Role of Parents and Practitioners
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or early years educator, there are simple, powerful ways to foster healthy sensory exploration:
1. Create Sensory-Rich Environments
Use soft rugs, play mats, and a variety of safe, natural materials for babies to touch and explore. Set up simple sensory trays with water, natural sponges, or textured objects.
2. Follow the Baby’s Lead
Every baby has a unique sensory profile. Some may be overwhelmed by too much input, while others crave stimulation. Watch their cues. Turn down the volume or pause if they seem fussy, and reintroduce when they’re alert and ready.
3. Include Outdoor Sensory Play Daily
Even just 10–15 minutes outside in natural light, surrounded by nature’s textures and sounds, can stimulate sensory learning and reduce overstimulation from screens or noisy environments.
4. Engage with Intentional Touch and Voice
Holding, rocking, singing, and talking to babies provides multi-sensory integration. Your voice, especially, is an emotional anchor for your baby, combining rhythm, tone, and connection.
5. Sensory Routines Support Predictability
Having consistent sensory rituals—like a warm bath before bed or morning garden time—supports predictability and security. Repetition helps babies anticipate and trust what comes next, which is essential for emotional regulation.
Sensation is Connection
At its heart, sensory exploration is a way for babies to connect—with the world, with themselves, and with their caregivers. In those quiet moments of watching water ripple, feeling sand slip through fingers, or lying on soft grass under the sky, babies are doing some of the most important developmental work of their lives.
As practitioners and caregivers, we don’t need expensive toys or complicated programs. We simply need to offer safe, responsive, and enriching experiences—and to be present in the moment with the children in our care. The world is already rich in wonder. Our job is to help babies gently discover it.
References:
Bundy, A. C., Lane, S. J., & Murray, E. A. (2008). Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice. F.A.David
Chawla, L. (2015). Benefits of nature contact for children. Journal of Planning Literature, 30(4), 433–452.
Piaget, J. (1952). The Origins of Intelligence in Children. International Universities Press
Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (2000). From Neurons to Neighbourhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. National Academy Press.
Dr M’s thoughts 