Sensory Play: The Enchantment of Treasure Baskets
Ever wonder why on Christmas morning young children are more fascinated with the wrapping paper, packaging and cardboard boxes than the gift inside? That’s because these objects provide many opportunities for children to engage with their senses such as touch, smell, taste, sound, sight and bodily movement. The wrapping paper may make an interesting noise, feel pleasant to touch or change shape when squeezed.
Making connections
Research shows that children spend the first few years making connections based on the interactions they have, and from the environment around them. The brain develops as it responds to the stream of input coming from the baby’s surroundings, delivered through their senses.
Building a picture of the world around us
Using their senses is a powerful way for babies to learn. Up until the age of 4-5 months babies instinctively put things in their mouths to explore, and at 5 months can usually bring objects to their face for visual inspection. The skin is our largest organ in the body and so it makes sense that much of what we learn about the world is communicated through our skin. We rely on all our senses to make those early connections, to build a picture of the world.
Heuristic play
In the 1980s, Elinor Goldschmied, a child psychologist, developed the term Heuristic play from her work watching children and how they gained knowledge of the world around them. Heuristic play describes play for babies, infants, and toddlers that actively encourages exploration by using and developing their senses.
Goldschmied also developed Treasure baskets which use what we know about how young children learn.
What is a Treasure basket?
A Treasure Basket is typically a low, sturdy basket filled to the brim with household objects, ideally made from natural materials. The basket is often made from willow, wicker or straw. It contains a variety of everyday objects that encourage children to use all their senses and encourage a whole-body experience. Children can enjoy exploring the objects to see how they taste, feel, smell, sound and what they look like.
Making your own Treasure Basket
Now the fun part – what to put in your basket? When deciding what to put in the basket, ask yourself what senses can children use when they hold this object? How does it feel, sound and taste? Does it look interesting?
Often in Treasure baskets you'll find things like a loofahs, egg cups, bowls, whisks, spoons, feathers, foil, bean bags, clothes pegs, leather purses, measuring spoons and small boxes.
You may already know what interests your children. Perhaps it is something that makes a noise or will support a current schema, such as a rotational object. Whatever the interest, you may wish to include more of these objects in your basket. If you regularly add new items, you can hold children’s attention for longer and they will not become bored by seeing the same things. The items in a Treasure basket can grow with the competencies of the children and can be used to follow schemas or children’s interests.
How to use a Treasure basket
Allow children uninterrupted time to discover and explore the basket by themselves. You might be tempted to offer a child an item, but the Treasure basket should only be accessed by the child. This is an opportunity for the child to explore and discover for themselves what their chosen items can do, where it can be placed or how it can be used, rather than being shown or told. As a result, the child will have a much richer and more stimulating experience as they select the items of interest at their own pace.
It is important however to always supervise play and be close enough to intervene immediately if required. For those babies who are not able to sit, they can be supported and propped up. You may wish to sit the baby sideways so they can rest on the edge of the basket. The basket should be sturdy enough so that it does not tip over.
What does a Treasure Basket help babies to do?
Often babies will play with the baskets for lengthy periods making simple choices, develop preferences, discarding things, selecting, returning to a favourite item, banging, grasping, waving and dropping. This helps develop their attention and concentration, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. By using all their senses, they can find out about the weight, size, shape, texture, sound and smell.
How do I keep my child safe?
Typically, a Treasure Basket is given to a 6–9-month-old however, objects should only be given to children only if you feel that they are safe and right for their developmental stage. Check objects each time you use them. Do not use small objects for babies for risk of choking, or heavier objects with older children who have the strength to hurt themselves or others whilst exploring.
Considerations
When introducing a treasure basket, you may wish to consider the following:
- No distractions –ensure distractions are kept to a minimum. Consider little or no background noise and provide a calm environment.
- Consider the time of day – avoid introducing a treasure basket when children are tired, hungry or when older children are around.
- Take off socks and shoes – this can offer a more sensory experience.
- Use natural colours and materials – try to reduce the number of bright colours which may dominate senses.
- Number of items – aim for a min of 20 items.
Time to observe and enjoy
Watching children engage in Treasure Baskets and how they use different resources can be very informative, but also enjoyable. It helps us understand what children can do, what they know and what they find interesting. We can use this information to help us plan what happens next.
So, once you have put together your collection of items and are happy that they provide a range of experiences that engage the senses, sit back and watch what happens - enjoy!
Ready to find out more?
If you or your team would like to know more about treasure baskets, please contact the Ready For School Improvement Team.
Article by
Natalie Scott-Burrows
Ready for School Improvement Officer
Early Years
natalie.burrows@northtyneside.gov.uk