Blogger Annaliese Melvin

Sense-ational Learning with Sensory Explorations

Blue bin filled with Lucky Charms cereal and two large, square ice cube trays. In the cereal, there is a laminated paper with various shapes on it that match the shapes of the charms.

Over the past few years, I have seen an increased interest in “sensory friendly” programming at libraries. This has included an influx of programs such as toddler explorations, sensory explorations, and more. Our library has spent the past few years reformatting, adapting, and implementing our seasonal “Sensory Explorations” program. Check out some of the highlights below! What Is It? Sensory Explorations is a program recommended for children aged 2-5 that is hands on, messy, fun. At its core, it is an opportunity for children to engage in tactile, early learning activities at the library. When hosting, I typically plan to incorporate at least five of the eight sensory systems. Yes, I did say eight! Most people learned about the “five senses” as being taste, smell, sight, touch, and sound. However, there are three additional systems we use every day that are lesser known: the proprioceptive system, vestibular system, and interoception….