Baby Sensory Colchester

General information

Baby Sensory provides an exciting and enjoyable environment where parents share developmental play with their baby and develop invaluable parenting skills.

Unique Session Plans
The Baby Sensory programme comprises 40 discrete session plans (plus extra Lesson Plans for special occasions). These sessions have been designed to support the early development of babies through exposure to a range of stimulating sensory experiences. A number of features of the programme design warrant specific mention:
• The sessions are fun for parents and babies and every session is different. Thus once a parent has brought their baby along to one session they can’t wait to come back the next week;
• Each session incorporates an exploratory play element which is a perfect time to socialise and build relationships with other parents and babies;
• Every session includes ideas for parents to try out at home using materials that are readily accessible. Many parents involve their partner in these activities at home and thus extend the benefit of the programme beyond the weekly session.
• The overall programme provides a rich environment full of interesting sights, sounds, smells, colours, materials and language. This will help to build a foundation that will make all subsequent learning easier.
• The 40 session plans also provide a training programme to the course leader, building in complexity with each successive term. Each lesson plan includes detailed information about the learning and developmental benefits of the activities. The plans also provide reference to the research which underpins these activities.

At the start of each activity, an explanation is given as to why and how it may develop baby learning and development. Recognising the value of an activity means that parents are more likely to interact purposefully with their baby at home.

The development of social relationships between parents is another important aspect of the programme. The Exploratory Play area is the perfect place to socialise, form relationships with others and share ideas and experiences.

Throughout the programme, parents are shown how to:

• Hold babies in different ways.
• Communicate using music, speech, singing, sign and body language and other approaches such as ‘parentese’.
• Use everyday household objects to stimulate play.
• Interact with babies in a fun and purposeful way.
• Use touch techniques to switch on the calming reflex.
• Stimulate vision using a variety of different materials.
• Encourage mobility skills and overall brain development.
• Provide the best conditions for sleep, play and learning.