There are many ways we can support children in the classroom and school with sensory needs, but have we thought about how we can support meeting children’s sensory needs in the playground?
Playgrounds for some children can be overwhelming, over stimulating and overcrowded, a great way to offer an alternative space to not only meet the needs of children with sensory needs but to support all children and staff in the outdoor learning experience and environment, a place of calm which is great for everyone’s mental health and well-being is creating a sensory garden. Not to mention what it offers to wildlife, from birds, bugs, beasties, butterflies to bees.
You don’t have to be super green fingered to create a sensory garden, nor do you need a lot of space. It can be adapted to fit in with the space that you have in school. It is also a great way to get the community involved by asking parents, grandparents, carers or people in the community to help out in creating a sensory garden and or maintaining it. Often, garden centres and some of the larger, well-known ones have funding and grants you may be able to apply for to help with community growing and gardening. It is worth speaking to garden centres to see if they can offer any support or funding you can apply for to help you create a sensory garden.
The main 5 areas to look at are sight, smell, touch, taste and sound.
Sight – There are so many bright and colourful flowers to choose from, sunflowers, tulips, poppies, large daisies, plus small bushes and evergreens that can create a multitude of colours all year round. It is worth looking at creating a mixture of plants and flowers that bloom and offer colours at different times throughout the year.
Smell—There are so many plants that have wonderful smells, from lavender to rosemary, mint, chocolate cosmos, and many others. Both children and adults can love and enjoy the smell of them. To this day, I still enjoy running my fingers over lavender and smelling my hands afterwards. There’s something very calming about the smell of it.
Touch—Plants have different types of leaves, from large, small, round, soft, smooth, furry-feeling, to spikey, although spikey plants may not be the best for your sensory garden. It is worth speaking to a local garden centre to find out what is best.
Taste – There are so many different vegetables, herbs and plants to plant in this area, from chives, basil, mint, carrots, peas, potatoes, lettuces, strawberries and much more, that can be grown for children to learn about growing food and healthy eating.
Sound – Different grasses and bamboos are great for creating sounds, whether wind blowing through them, leaves rustling or moving them with your hands. Adding a water feature, small bells or wind chimes can enhance the sensory garden as well.
Important Considerations
Always ensure that all plants and flowers used in your sensory garden are child-friendly and non-toxic. Some children may have allergies, so it’s essential to check for any potential sensitivities before introducing new plants.
A sensory garden is a wonderful way to make outdoor play and learning more accessible and enjoyable for all children. It fosters curiosity, encourages mindfulness, and provides a nurturing space where children can explore and feel at ease.
Whether large or small, every school playground can benefit from a space designed to engage the senses and promote well-being.
By Therese Hoyle
This article: How to Create a Sensory Garden in Your Playground was recently featured in Teachers Matter Magazine, New Zealand.
