The Hidden Power of Natural Wood: Sensory Play for Children, Adults, and Seniors
When we think of sensory play, we often imagine toddlers squishing dough or pouring beans. But what if sensory play could be a calming, therapeutic, and deeply engaging experience for everyone, from curious young children to caregivers and seniors?
At The Little Changemakers, we believe that play is ageless, and that sensory experiences are a gentle yet powerful way to support emotional regulation, cognitive function, and connection. One of our favorite tools? Schima superba.
What is Schima superba?
A hardwood known for its smooth texture, subtle scent, and durability.
These wood pieces are splinter-free, easy to clean, and ideal for repeated sensory play across age groups.
A Cleaner, Reusable Option for Sensory Play
While grains and beans offer rich sensory textures, these natural wood cubes stand out as a reusable, easy-to-clean alternative. They are large, clean, and easy to manage; they don’t scatter or get stuck in clothing or carpet, making them ideal for fast cleanup and repeated use. Naturally durable and gently scented, these wooden parts offer a low-mess, high-value option for parents and educators who want the benefits of sensory play without the mess.
Benefits for Children:
Aligned with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) Framework
1. Physical Development – Motor Skills & Coordination
These wood pieces are perfect as sensory bin fillers to develop:
Fine motor skills: Scooping, transferring, pouring
Hand-eye coordination: Picking up the wood using tongs, scoops, or buckets
Gross motor integration: Use toy trucks or tools to dig, scoop, and transport
2. Language & Creative Expression – Open-Ended Play & Imagination
Children can pair the wood with props like animals, leaves, or mini tools to create thematic sensory scenes: farms, markets, or nature trails. This supports storytelling, vocabulary-building, and creative thinking.
3. Social & Emotional Development – Shared Play Experiences
These wood pieces invite collaborative play. Children take turns, co-create sensory scenes, and develop empathy through quiet, engaging activities that soothe and regulate emotions.
4. Discovery of the World – Exploring Nature-Based Materials
The natural feel and scent of the wood spark curiosity and discussion about what other things are made from trees, such as chopsticks, books, musical instruments, and furniture. This builds environmental awareness through hands-on discovery.
5. Numeracy – Sorting, Counting, Estimating
Use wood cubes for simple counting games, weighing, or filling different-sized containers to promote early math skills in a playful context.
Benefits for Seniors & Adults with Special Needs
These smooth, natural wood cubes offer a calming, tactile experience that supports sensory regulation, emotional grounding, and simple, meaningful engagement, especially beneficial for seniors and adults with dementia, autism, anxiety, or limited mobility.
1. Weighted Calming Pillow
Use the wood cubes as a filler for small weighted pillows or lap pads:
Provides gentle, even pressure for self-soothing
Helps reduce anxiety and promote a sense of security
Ideal for use in nursing homes, therapy rooms, or calming corners
2. Tactile Arranging & Pattern Play
Even though all cubes are uniform, they can be:
Arranged in rows, grids, or spirals
Used in guided pattern activities on trays or mats
Paired with visual prompts to support cognitive focus and relaxation
This encourages quiet attention, spatial awareness, and fine motor engagement in a non-verbal, pressure-free way.
3. Foot Rolling & Sensory Grounding
Spread wood cubes in a shallow tray for barefoot or socked foot massage:
Stimulates circulation and proprioception
Offers grounding sensory input for emotional regulation
Especially helpful in dementia care, stroke recovery, or anxiety reduction
