Preschoolers are eager to discover new things, especially when these activities align with their interests. They are naturally curious, often asking questions like why, how, and when. Recently, preschoolers have shown a keen interest in sensory activities, particularly those that allow them to incorporate their other
favorite activities, such as playing with tractors, building with blocks, or engaging in pretend play. This variety of interests is broad, yet they all share a common thread: a fascination with sensory experiences.
Cornstarc
h and Glue
During a craft session, we observed that preschoolers were deeply engaged in touching and feeling the glue. When we asked them how it felt when the glue touched their hands, some responded, “I don’t like it when it’s sticky because it’s hard to wash off,” while others said, “It feels itchy on my hand.” In that moment, we decided to introduce some cornstarch to see what would happen. Finn exclaimed, “Oh, it’s not sticky anymore!” prompting another child to ask, “But why isn’t it sticky?” The educator explained, “Because cornstarch helps to lessen the stickiness of the glue.”
Rainy Day Mud Activity
On a rainy day, we heard preschoolers repeatedly say, “Look, the sand is going to get wet because it’s raining.” One child asked, “Can we touch the wet sand?” The educator then decided to bring some wet sand indoors and spread it out on the tuff tray. As soon as it was set out, Finn dashed to grab the large tractors, and the others quickly followed, pretending to engage in construction activities. Laura remarked, “Ooh, it’s cold and wet, and this is what we use to make sandcastles.”
Shaving Foam and Blocks
When sensory experiences are combined with curiosity, they spark creativity and imagination. This morning, as we observed preschoolers showing interest in construction and attempting to connect the blocks, the educator decided to add shaving foam to enrich their sensory exploration. The activity became immensely enjoyable as they built various structures. After a while Rose exclaimed “it feels like sunscreen” while rubbing shaving foam on her hands.
Preschoolers were deeply absorbed in the activity (e.g., scooping rice, finger painting, playing with water). They used their senses (touch, smell, sight, sometimes hearing and taste) to explore materials. They experimented with cause and effect — e.g., “Why is it not sticky when its mixed with other materials?” or “Can I bury my hand in this?” Children may combine items in creative ways, make patterns, or pretend the materials are food, treasure, or landscapes.
