DISCOVERING THE WORLD THROUGH SENSORY PLAY
27 Sep 2023
We all use our senses to explore and make sense of the world around us. From inside the womb we start recognising sounds and smells, and this journey of discovery continues for a lifetime. Play Workshop wants children to explore with their senses, recognising how exploring the world this way helps them to learn and understand many different things.
Sensory play can be passive or interactive, or both. It helps children to better understand and self-regulate their own capacity, learning their preferences and explore different sights, smells and tastes, sounds and textures on their own terms.
One of the best ways for children to engage their senses is by playing outside with nature, and Play Workshop are developing a new range of sensory experiences providing unstructured play opportunities. Made from natural materials such as sustainably sourced local timbers and sandstone these incidental play pieces bring a new dimension of life to any playspace. 
One most popular inclusion are types of discovery play pieces, something that children can use their hands to uncover, patterns that can be traced, visualising the creatures that hide in the surrounds.
Light and colour also play an important role, pops of colour on balancing steps links balance and visual effects, along with reflections from mirrors and water. 
Totems are always a visually striking element, however with the inclusion of thoughtful carving of curves, indents and ridges they can be explored by hand or with surrounding sticks and materials to make sounds and vibrations.
Play Workshop uses timber and sandstone pieces to catch and direct the flow of water to be a shallow pool for splashing, or a trickle that ebbs and flows and can drive leaf boats throughout the channels. 
Play Workshop continues to work with designers and landscape architects to create custom pieces and playspaces. It is a creative space, not a factory and they specialise in working collaboratively with designers to bring their visions to life. All equipment is made to order locally in Sydney and can be shipped Australia-wide.
This is only the beginning of what Play Workshop can do, keep watching for new pieces and projects to be launched soon. 
For more information and project examples visit their new website today at the link below.
