Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to October, a month filled with opportunities for sensory exploration! This is a time when we naturally think about how to engage children in sensory experiences—whether it’s through touch, taste, sight, sound, or smell. But as caregivers of children aged 0-3, our role in supporting sensory exploration is actually quite simple: we just let them be.

Experiencing the world through their senses is something all human beings do naturally, especially young children. As caregivers, we often feel the need to *do* something to create meaningful experiences, but sometimes, the best approach is to step back and allow children to explore on their own. I’m inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood care, which emphasizes the idea of “provocation.” This philosophy involves placing intriguing materials or objects in the environment that provoke children’s natural curiosity. Once that curiosity is sparked, children will instinctively use their senses to explore and satisfy it.

For example, a provocation in an early childhood classroom could be as simple as creating an area filled with safe, interesting blue objects. You don’t need to explain or guide them—just place it in an area where children will notice it. Their natural curiosity and senses will lead them to investigate, explore, and learn.

Here are five simple sensory provocations you can try with your child:

1. Natural Objects Exploration: Place a collection of leaves, pinecones, and stones in a basket for children to touch, smell, and observe.   
2. Water Play Station: Set up a shallow basin with water, sponges, and cups for children to feel the texture of water and practice pouring.                                   
3. Texture Wall: Hang different fabrics like velvet, burlap, and silk in an accessible area so children can explore textures with their hands.
4. Sound Jars: Create small containers filled with different materials like rice, beans, or sand, allowing children to shake them and explore different sounds.
5. Light and Shadow Play: Set up a small lamp with translucent objects nearby, letting children explore how light interacts with different shapes and colors.

These simple provocations allow children to engage their senses in a natural and joyful way, and they often require very little from the caregiver other than creating an environment for exploration.

This October, let’s focus on encouraging children to use their senses, sparking curiosity without needing to guide them at every step. As caregivers, it can be rewarding to simply observe how children explore, learn, and grow when given the space and freedom to do so.

In Peace

Miss Emmy

Executive Director