Immersive Sensory Experiences

In her book, Really Seeing Children, Deb Curtis shares a story about the importance of encouraging children to become fully immersed in sensory experiences. Here’s part of the story, written with Jess Guiney and Sheena Wilton:

“Jessica and Isabella were immediately drawn to the new chalk available on the patio…They began experimenting with different amounts of pressure as they filled in the space with chalk. Isabella worked slowly, noticing the brightness of her colors. Jessica worked quickly, examining the amount of chalk dust that was accumulating as she moved her chalk across the ground like a windshield wiper.

When Jessica pointed out how much colorful dust had gathered around them, Isabella was intrigued to go slowly and quietly to explore it. First, she moved a little pile around with one finger. Then, she swished her entire hand back and forth over the dust, mixing the colors together. Finally, Isabella blew the chalk dust across the cement, moving it in yet another way. After most of her work was beautifully blurred, she looked up and said, ‘It looks like a wish.'"

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