THE IMPORTANCE OF SENSORY PLAY FOR BABIES
We wanted to dive a little bit deeper in this blog into how science supports early development, as the world of baby sensory can be a little overwhelming.
When it comes to nurturing a baby’s development, sensory play is one of the most powerful tools parents (and caregivers) can use. The science behind how babies experience the world reveals just how vital this form of engagement is, helping little ones develop the skills they need for lifelong learning. That's why, here at Etta Loves, we are so passionate about creating products that are not only beautiful but designed with a deep understanding of infant vision and sensory stimulation.
Let’s take a closer look at why sensory play is so important and how it supports your baby’s brain, body, and emotional development.
Above: Etta's little sister Uma with a space blanket
What Is Sensory Play?
Sensory play refers to any activity that stimulates a baby’s senses: sight, touch, sound, taste, smell, and even movement and body awareness. While these activities can seem simple—like feeling different textures or listening to soothing sounds—they have a profound impact on how your baby’s brain develops.
Babies are born with billions of neurons (brain cells), but these neurons need to form connections to create neural pathways that support learning and behaviour. Sensory play promotes these connections, enabling babies to make sense of their environment and begin the process of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.
The Role of Vision in Sensory Development
One of the key senses for infants is vision, but at birth, babies see the world very differently than adults - see any of our many blogs on how they see the world - but in a nutshell, high-contrast patterns are essential for stimulating a baby’s sight, helping to strengthen their visual pathways, which are the foundation for future skills such as hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and focus.
At Etta Loves, our products are designed based on this science, featuring patterns specifically created to stimulate babies at different stages of visual development—from newborns who respond best to high-contrast black-and-white, to older babies who begin to appreciate more complex, colorful designs. By surrounding babies with visual stimuli tailored to their stage, we can help their brains work optimally to process and learn from what they see.
Why Touch Matters: Exploring Through Texture
Babies naturally explore the world with their hands, and introducing different textures through sensory play helps to enhance their tactile awareness. The simple act of grasping, feeling, and squeezing objects with varying textures encourages the development of fine motor skills. According to infant development experts, this kind of sensory exploration also strengthens a baby’s sense of proprioception (the awareness of where their body is in space), which is essential for coordination and physical movement as they grow.
Tactile experiences also engage the brain in problem-solving and decision-making. For example, when babies feel an object, they learn about its size, shape, and texture, making connections about the physical world that will later support language development and understanding of cause and effect.
A simple way to do play with baby is through a game of peekaboo where you pull a muslin over their face and body, ending with a foot tickle. They'll not only love your facial expressions and voice, but the added element of touch supports their development.
The Science of Sound: How Babies Learn from Auditory Play
While newborns cannot yet articulate words, they are already learning language from the sounds around them. Sensory play that incorporates auditory stimulation, such as music, rattles, or of course talking and singing, helps babies to start processing the rhythm and tone of speech. Studies show that babies who are exposed to a variety of sounds develop stronger language skills and are more adept at distinguishing different phonemes (the sounds of speech) as they grow.
Engaging your baby in auditory play also encourages cognitive development. Babies begin to recognise patterns in sounds and associate them with actions—like shaking a rattle to hear a noise or clapping to the sound of music. These auditory experiences are crucial for cognitive development, emotional regulation, and social interaction.
The Power of Multisensory Play
What’s truly remarkable about sensory play is how powerful it becomes when multiple senses are engaged simultaneously. Research from early childhood development experts consistently shows that multisensory play—activities that involve seeing, touching, and hearing—can boost memory, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
For example, when babies interact with a textured, high-contrast sensory blanket, they are not only stimulating their sense of touch but also their visual and proprioceptive senses. This multisensory stimulation enhances their ability to form connections between different types of sensory information, helping their brains grow stronger and more efficient.
Supporting Emotional and Social Growth
Beyond the physical and cognitive benefits, sensory play is also key to emotional and social development. Through play, babies learn to self-soothe, regulate their emotions, and begin to understand social cues like facial expressions and tone of voice. Shared sensory experiences, such as playing with textured toys or listening to music together, create bonding moments between baby and parent, supporting their emotional security and attachment.
Making Sensory Play Part of Every Day
At Etta Loves, we believe that sensory play should be a natural and easy part of every baby’s day, and we're here to help - which is why we make it easy with our everyday / multi-functional essentials.
As your baby grows, remember that every sensory experience is an opportunity for learning and connection. Whether it’s the softness of fabric against their cheek, high contrast patterns or simply stopping under a tree to notice the shaddows and movement in the wind, sensory play can be super simple and enjoyable for you both.
Happy playing
Jen & Etta