At Happy Little Hearts Preschool we aim to give every child the best start in life, that’s why we have embedded Sensory Play in our setting by providing opportunities for children to actively use their senses as they explore the world around them.

There are many benefits of Sensory Play:

• Sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks.
• Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
• This type of play aids in developing and enhancing memory.
• Sensory play is great for calming an anxious or frustrated child.
• This helps children learn sensory attributes (hot, cold, sticky, dry).

As the child develops trust and understanding of texture, it helps build positive pathways in the brain to say it is safe to engage with this texture, be it food or any other item. Sensory play literally helps shape what children believe to be positive and safe in the brain. Ultimately, shaping the choices children make and impacting behaviour.

At Happy Little Hearts Preschool we understand the importance of the environment and that is why we have a designated woodland area which shall allow the children to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment.

This will introduce a whole new dimension to teaching and learning and add a sense of excitement and adventure for the children, who are free to explore the environment around them.

The woodland area will be risk assessed and a number of adults will be around to supervise and to ensure safety of the children at all times. A high adult:child ratio is essential in order to maintain the children’s safety, but will also help the adults to get to know children individually and to learn and understand their unique learning styles.

In summary the Woodland area at Happy Little Hearts will allow your child be physically active, enjoy the fresh air and the new experiences the outdoors can offer. Over the course of the term, your child’s stamina and fitness will increase, thus providing a healthier lifestyle.

At Happy Little Hearts Preschool our slogan is ‘Where dreams begin’ and If you can dream it you can achieve it’. In our themed rooms, children can do just that! The importance of imaginative play for a child’s development is crucial as it provides opportunities for children to identify with the adult world.

Practise and role play help their understanding and interpretation of the world around them.

• Develop social skills: Practising negotiation skills, turn-taking and sharing. Provides opportunities for working out problems and experimenting with solutions.
• Emotional development: Understanding and expressing their feelings through the re-enactment of certain experiences. Taking on roles that encourage discipline and empathy.
• Encourages imagination: Children can be anyone and do anything in the pretend world.
• Develop language skills: Practising listening, looking and talking. Being spoken to and talking with other people, also developing an understanding of what is being communicated through body language such as smiles and nodding.