Watching a child play with a Treasure Basket can give a powerful insight into the wonder of children’s minds; their developmental levels, interests, likes and dislikes; repeated patterns of behaviour; and even glimpses of a child’s personality. This book aims to show how sensory play has a growing role to play in providing open-ended play potential as well as presenting opportunities for developing problem solving, creativity, imagination and meaning making.

The book demonstrates how babies through to primary school children, including those with special educational needs, can derive rich and meaningful hands-on learning from sensory-rich objects and the wider application of sensory play. Key features of the book:

• Discovering how sensory play presents opportunities for problem solving and meaning making as well as developing creativity and imagination
• Understanding the benefits and potential of sensory-rich play and its powerful effect upon brain development and memory
• Learning about the role of the adult in supporting and maximising sensory-rich play
• Gaining insights from a range of case studies and activities

If you have already witnessed deeply absorbing Treasure Basket play in action and marvelled at children’s fascination and focus, then this book helps explain something of the ‘behind the scenes’ processes in action. For those who have not yet encountered this deceptively complex play, this book whets the appetite, giving a taste of what Treasure Baskets and sensory-rich play have to offer.

Watch a child deeply engrossed in foraging for leaves or minibeasts; building dens; climbing trees; making rose petal perfume; or simply splashing in a puddle and you will discover just how focused children can be in something that interests or excites them. Many of these sensory-rich experiences are taken for granted but with children’s access to sensory play declining - less play outdoors, competition from screen based alternatives and increasingly timetabled lives - the importance of this deeply engrossing discovery-type play is vital.

Sensory-rich play is also a type of play which is frequently misunderstood - the true benefits and learning gained from such play are frequently not recognised and therefore its true potential is trivialised or lost. This book should help the reader with the confidence to give children the space, problem solving opportunities, freedom and creativity associated with sensory play. By understanding the importance of sensory play in terms of its powerful effect upon brain development and memory; its problem solving potential; and its ability to give meaning to words and concepts, this book can help adults see the benefits and potential of sensory-rich play.

This timely and empowering book is written for practitioners and students working with babies through to primary-aged children.

"This accomplished book represents an impressive and important extension of the previous writing in the field and is sure to expand practitioners' understanding of the fascinating medium that is the treasure basket." Janet moyles, Write and professor Emeritus at Anglia Ruskin University, UK.