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In a small area of a nursery room in north London, a seven-month-old is engrossed in play with a set of natural, household objects. He reaches for a loofah, sucks it, waves it around to test how heavy it is and then tosses it aside for the next item in the basket: a lemon.
In another corner of the room, an 18-month-old reaches for a silk scarf that hangs into a basket filled with brightly-coloured fabric. The scarf floats down into her hands and she places it over her face to feel its soft texture.
Children at The Gower School Nursery in Islington are offered this sensory experience during hour-long treasure basket and heuristic play sessions each day. Kelly Shawyer, nursery head, says, 'This form of play provides children with the opportunity to explore and investigate real objects and the way they work. Treasure baskets and heuristic play are integral to everything we do.'
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