Influential Theorists

Jean Piaget was perhaps the first theorist of sensory play, suggesting that there was more to ‘play’ than we necessarily understood. His theory of play suggests that play involves a systematic process of learning. Piaget proposed that children need environmental stimuli and rich, diverse experiences to guide their cognitive development. He proposed that through sensory play children were better able to digest new knowledge and crucially store that knowledge for future reference.

Vygotsky’s theories contributed greatly towards our current understanding of the crucial importance of ‘play’ upon learning and development. Believing that play is in advance of development and play must always come first.