Sensory & Messy Play and Kinetic Development

We have talked many times about the benefits of Sensory & Messy Play. Specifically, Sensory & Messy Play contributes:

• in cognitive development as well as in scientific thought
• in social development, as it is a way of managing unwanted behaviors and developing social skills (socialization)
• in emotional development, as it is a way of learning and getting acquainted with emotions, as well as managing them
• in mental well-being, as it is a way of relieving and managing negative emotions and stress

as well:

• enhances communication, speech and language development
• strengthens the body and muscles
• enhances balance and control of the body, coordination of movements and fine-grained mobility, and more generally, motor development
• enhances creative / artistic development and imagination
• enhances memory and attention, as well as concentration

Today we will talk about the benefits that the messy-chaotic sensory game, Sensory & Messy Play, can have on the motor-physical development of the child.

Actually! Sensory & Messy Play is extremely important for a child’s development.

The benefits of Messy Play for the motor-physical development of a child

Fine Mobility

Sensory & Messy Play helps young children develop their early motor skills. When children press a soft dough, collect sand or make marks with crazy foam, they learn to improve their fine motor skills, using the muscles in their toes, wrists, arms, toes and shoulders to make small movements. Children also practice coordinating their fine motor skills by combining the muscles of their body when picking up different objects throughout the game.

Rough Mobility

Taking the messy game to the next level also helps to develop children’s gross mobility. When children jump into the water, throw sand, or produce any type of work with larger objects, such as brooms, they also increase their gross mobility. Children use the larger muscles in their arms, legs, and body in general to make larger movements that support balance, coordination, and strength.

Muscle strengthening

When children practice their fine and gross motor skills in Sensory & Messy Play, they strengthen their muscles and develop muscle control in their body. Introducing children to a range of sensory materials will enhance strength in their different muscle groups. Creativity in every way in Sensory & Messy Play helps children improve the muscles in their hands and fingers, which also prepares them to hold a pencil and control these writing movements, while activities such as carving in the mud will strengthen the muscles in their legs.

Hand-eye coordination

Sensory & Messy Play Also Improves Children’s Hand-Eye Coordination to develop the coordination of their hands-eyes.

Body control & balance (susceptibility)

Messy play is an extremely practical sensory activity, which improves the control and balance of children, through the large and small movements they make when they play. Simple actions, such as pouring water from one container to another, help children focus on their fine and gross motor skills, which improves their control and balance with practice.

Sensory & Messy Play also makes children more sensitive to the body, which gives them the opportunity to learn about the limits. When participating in Messy Play group activities (eg Master Chef with the help of sensory materials), they begin to respect the space of others and develop social skills.
“Messy Play is not a luxury, it is a necessity!”
Alexia Stathaki
Child & Adolescent Psychologist
Sensory & Messy Play Specialist & Supervisor