Sensory

A Sensory Case Study

Mary jane is a first-year pre-school teacher at Central Early Learning Center. Her

Director is observing Mary for her annual evaluation. A concern the director has

talked to Mary Jane about in the past is the fact that Mary Jane doesn’t like to

incorporate “messy” sensory play as a regular activity.

Mary Jane is really concerned about neatness and getting messy and always

wears aprons when her class is participating in activities which she might get her

clothes dirty. She doesn’t think children learn anything from this messy play. The

director wants to talk to her about ways she can get more involved in sensory

play.

What do you think?

1. What might be some possible causes for this teacher’s aversion to sensory

activities?

2. What could you tell this teacher about why sensory play is so important?

3. What are some strategies Mary Jane can use to set up an environment to

make clean up easier while still allowing children to fully explore the

sensory experience?