Learning & Development: Under-threes - Our bright idea - Sensory hoop

During play, babies explore their immediate surroundings through movement. A non-mobile baby is often reliant on the people caring for them as to where and how they are positioned within the room, what objects surround them, what they can see, touch and explore, and who communicates with them.

Babies use their hands and their feet to interact with objects in their environment. To promote play and exploration, resources for babies and young infants should be placed within their line of vision and their reach. In turn, this helps babies to develop physical skills and a sensory hoop encourages the development of both gross motor skills and fine motor skills.

Babies can reach out for, grasp, squeeze and manipulate the hanging objects, developing control of the smaller muscles. They will kick and stretch to explore interesting things around them, developing control and co-ordination of the larger muscles. For rollers, crawlers and walkers, it can be an exciting sensation to move through the ribbons or hide inside!

RESOURCES

To make a basic sensory hoop, all you need is a large hoop and long lengths of ribbon. Tie or sew the ribbons or material strips around the hoop. To extend the experience, you could attach interesting items such as curtain rings or bells to the bottom of the ribbons. Suspend the hoop securely from the ceiling. Ensure that it hangs low enough for it to be an interactive resource for babies.

ADULT ROLE

- Create a hoop that your babies will find interesting.

- Get down at babies' level - what can they see and touch?

- Hang the hoop in an area where both non-mobile and mobile babies will be able to interact with it.

- Talk to babies about the items hanging from the hoop. You could have wicker balls, keys, curtain rings, bells or body puffs.

- Incorporate the sensory hoop in to simple games such as 'peek a boo' and 'where is baby hiding?'

- Give babies time to explore.

IN PRACTICE

Apple Tree Day Nursery in Burton Latimer made a sensory hoop and found that it was eye-catching and interesting to both babies and adults. Staff noticed that the babies were keen to investigate the sensory hoop. By observing play, they adapted the hoop and found that babies showed particular interest when it had noisy objects hanging from the ribbons.

It became such a popular addition to the room that staff have created a range of sensory hoops. One hoop has floaty scarves, one has stainless steel objects and another has wooden objects hanging from the ribbons - all very popular with the babies!

Links to EYFS guidance

• EE 3.2 Supporting Every Child
• LD 4.1 Play and Exploration
• LD 4.2 Active Learning

References

DFES (2008) The Early Years Foundation Stage

Lindon, Jennie (2006) Developing Play In The First Three Years. London: National Children's Bureau

Claire Stevenson is an early years Birth to Three adviser