A Sensory Walk: Preschool STEM Learning at Monkey Puzzle Grange Road
At Monkey Puzzle Grange Road, STEM learning is all about hands-on discovery, and sometimes feet-on discovery too. Our preschool children recently took part in a STEM activity designed to help them explore their senses and put their feelings into words.
Stepping Through a World of Textures
We set up a sensory walk using a tray filled with a mix of materials: playdough, rice, pasta, tissue paper, wooden circles, sand and water. The children were invited to walk through it one step at a time, and as they stepped on each material, our practitioners asked them a simple question: “How do you feel now?”
Soft, Bumpy, Hard and Cold
The children had plenty to say. Many described the playdough, sand and tissue paper as soft, while others noticed the bumpy feeling of the rice and pasta underfoot. The wooden circles felt hard to some, and when they finally dipped their feet into the water, everyone agreed it was cold. Along the way, they chatted with each other, sharing their thoughts and comparing how each material felt.
Why Sensory Play Matters for Your Child
Activities like this do much more than make children giggle. By exploring different textures, your child learns to understand and name what their senses are telling them, an important building block for communication and early science. The sensory walk also supported their motor skills, and by talking it through with their friends, they practised sharing ideas and listening to others. It’s a simple experience with big benefits, and just one example of the playful, purposeful early years learning our Cambridge nursery and childcare team offers every day.
