Sensory books and finger plays

Sensory exploration is important for babies and children. They learn about the world around them through their senses.

Sensory books

Sensory books for children are interactive and perfect for exploring words like noisy, rough, smooth, squishy and soft.

Finger plays are short stories with finger movements to tell the story. They often use rhymes.

Finger plays:

Finger plays can be enjoyed anywhere. They can be about things that interest your child. For example, animals, people, numbers, colours or places.

Say the words and complete the actions.

Where is Thumbkin?

Where is Thumbkin? Where is Thumbkin? (Put both hands behind your back)

Here I am. (Bring out 1 hand with your thumb up.)

Here I am. (Bring out the other hand with your thumb up.)

How are you today, Sir? (Wiggle 1 thumb.)

Very well, I thank you. (Wiggle the other thumb.)

Run away, run away. (Hide hands behind your back.)

Here is the bee hive

Here is the bee hive, (Make a fist with your thumb inside.)

Where are the bees? (Have a questioning look.)

Hidden inside where nobody sees. (Point to your closed fist.)

Watch, and you’ll see them come out of the hive. (Look at your closed fist.)

One, two. (Pull out your thumb, then index finger.)

Three, four, five. (Open your remaining fingers.)

'Buzzzzzz'. (Fly your fingers in the air like little bees.)

Knock on the door

Knock on the door. (Gently knock on your child’s forehead)

Peek in. (Lift 1 eyelid)

Lift the latch. ('Lift' end of their nose.)

Clean your feet. (Rub their cheeks.)

Walk in. (Pretend to walk into baby’s open mouth.)

This content was adapted from information provided by Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow