Sensory Play: How do sensory toys support your child's development?

Sensory toys aren't just a fashionable trend in the world of educational toys—they're, above all, an effective tool supporting a child's development on many levels. By stimulating the senses, these toys teach concentration, develop motor skills, and help little ones better understand the world around them. In this article, we'll explain what sensory toys are, what benefits they bring, and how to choose the best ones for your child.

What are sensory toys?

Sensory toys are products designed to stimulate a child's senses—touch, sight, hearing, and sometimes even smell and taste. Their purpose is to encourage exploration of the world through the senses. They may have different textures, colors, sounds, or shapes that encourage touching, squeezing, kneading, or manipulating.

At www.yocplatform.com you will find a wide selection of sensory toys adapted to different age groups – from babies to older children.

Why are sensory toys so important?

The senses are a child's first channel of contact with the world. Sensory toys help children learn to interpret stimuli, practice hand-eye coordination, develop manual dexterity, and learn emotional self-regulation. They are especially recommended for:

• infants during the period of intensive development,

• children with delayed speech or motor development,

• toddlers with sensory integration disorders (SI),

• children on the autism spectrum.

These types of toys support brain development, help focus attention and teach patience.

Types of sensory toys

The YOC Platform online store offers various types of sensory toys:

1. Teethers and Grasping Toys

Perfect for babies – they help develop grip reflexes, exercise hand muscles, and at the same time relieve teething pain.

2. Educational and contrast mats

They stimulate vision, encouraging tummy time and exploring the world around them. Contrasting patterns positively impact the development of visual perception.

3. Sensory balls and texture balls

Thanks to their different surfaces and flexibility, they teach children to recognize shapes and textures. Perfect for practicing hands and feet.

4. Sound toys

Toys with rustling materials, rattles, and musical instruments develop the sense of hearing and teach cause-and-effect relationships.

5. Toys for squeezing, stretching, kneading (e.g. squishy toys, gel toys)

Great for children who need to calm down and relieve stress. They support the development of hand muscles and concentration.

How to choose a sensory toy appropriate for your child's age?

✅ 0–6 months – choose soft rattles, crinkle books, teethers and activity mats.

✅ 6–12 months – sensory balls, toys with different textures, and contrasting puzzles will be ideal.

✅ 1–3 years – children are eager to explore the world, so it is worth reaching for manipulative toys, sorters, blocks of different shapes.

✅ 3+ – we recommend sensory clay, modelling clay, manipulation boards and musical instruments.

Benefits of regular play with sensory toys

🔸 Development of fine and gross motor skills
🔸 Better concentration and attention
🔸 Speech and communication support
🔸 Learning to play independently
🔸 Better understanding of emotions and calming down the child

Sensory toys at the YOC Platform store

In our store, we offer only safe, certified, and carefully selected sensory toys. Our products:

✅ are BPA-free,
✅ have CE certificates,
✅ are adapted to specific age groups,
✅ support development in accordance with the latest educational standards.

Summary

Sensory toys are a great investment in a child's development. They allow your little one to explore the world with all their senses, playing and learning simultaneously. Regardless of your child's age or developmental stage, at www.yocplatform.com you'll find the perfect products to spark their imagination, encourage activity, and support sensory development.