Emotional regulation is one of the most important skills children develop in their early years. For many Australian families, educators, and therapists, sensory play has become a powerful tool for helping children understand, express, and manage their emotions. Whether a child is neurotypical, autistic, or has sensory processing differences, sensory‑rich activities provide a safe and meaningful way to build emotional resilience.

This guide explores why sensory play is so effective and how Australian parents and educators can use it to support children’s emotional development.

What Is Sensory Play?

Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates a child’s senses—touch, sight, sound, smell, taste, movement, and body awareness.
Examples include:

• Water play
• Sand, rice, or sensory bins
• Playdough and kinetic sand
• Nature play
• Sensory bottles
• Music and movement
• Textured toys and fidgets

These activities help children explore the world in a hands‑on, calming, and developmentally supportive way.

How Sensory Play Supports Emotional Regulation

1. Helps Children Calm Their Nervous System

Many children—especially those with autism or sensory processing challenges—experience big emotions because their nervous systems become overwhelmed.
Sensory play provides predictable, soothing input that helps the body return to a calm state.

Calming sensory activities include:

• Water play
• Weighted toys
• Slow, rhythmic movement (e.g., rocking, swinging)
• Soft textures and tactile play

This is why sensory corners and sensory rooms are increasingly common in Australian early‑learning centres.

2. Builds Self‑Awareness and Emotional Understanding

Sensory play helps children recognise how different sensations make them feel.
For example:

• Squishing playdough may help them feel relaxed
• Jumping on a mini‑trampoline may help them release energy
• Watching a glitter sensory bottle may help them slow down

Over time, children learn to choose the sensory tools that help them regulate their emotions — a key step toward independence.

3. Supports Communication of Feelings

Young children often struggle to express emotions verbally. Sensory play gives them a non‑verbal outlet to communicate:

• Pressing hard into clay may show frustration
• Choosing a quiet sensory activity may signal overwhelm
• Seeking movement may show excitement or dysregulation

Educators and parents can use these cues to better understand and support the child.

4. Encourages Focus and Reduces Stress

Sensory activities naturally promote concentration. When children engage in repetitive, hands‑on play, their brains enter a calm, focused state.
This helps with:

• Transitions
• Group activities
• Learning tasks
• Social interactions

Australian occupational therapists often use sensory play to prepare children for therapy sessions or classroom learning.

5. Strengthens Coping Skills Through Practice

Emotional regulation isn’t learned in one moment — it’s built through repeated experiences.
Sensory play gives children frequent opportunities to:

• Try calming strategies
• Explore different sensations
• Practise self‑soothing
• Build resilience

These skills carry over into everyday life, helping children manage frustration, anxiety, and big emotions more effectively.

Why Sensory Play Matters in Australia

Australian early‑learning frameworks emphasise holistic development, including emotional wellbeing. Sensory play aligns with key outcomes in the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), such as:

• Confidence and independence
• Social and emotional wellbeing
• Active, engaged learning

Additionally, sensory tools and activities are widely used in Australian occupational therapy, early‑intervention programs, and NDIS‑funded supports.

Simple Sensory Play Ideas for Australian Families

• Water tables or backyard water play
• Nature treasure baskets (gum leaves, shells, stones)
• Playdough with natural scents like eucalyptus
• Sandpit play
• Sensory bottles with glitter or coloured water
• Textured balls and fidgets
• Movement play: trampolines, swings, balance boards

These activities are easy to set up and highly effective for emotional regulation.

Conclusion

Sensory play is a powerful tool for helping Australian children build emotional regulation skills. By calming the nervous system, supporting communication, and encouraging self‑awareness, sensory activities give children the foundation they need to manage big emotions confidently and independently. Whether at home, in childcare, or in therapy, sensory play offers meaningful benefits for every child.