From the moment our babies are born, they?re discovering the world through their senses, whether it?s by gazing at brightly coloured mobiles, grabbing onto our pinkies or putting their own little fingers and toes in their mouths. Learning through the five senses remains beneficial even in the preschool and elementary school years?and for grown-ups, it?s a soothing and fun way to bond with kids. 
?Sensory play is the foundation for all higher-level learning,? says Stephanie Swinburne, an occupational therapist and owner of Kiddo Active Therapy in Montreal. ?Every time you engage the sensory system, you?re creating neural connections, which is good for complex development.? 
Swinburne compares sensory motor development to the structure of a house: The foundation is sensory and reflex integration, with the first floor being basic motor skills and the second floor being the more complex motor skills, such as visual-motor integration and hand-eye coordination. The roof is cognitive skills, social skills, executive functioning and emotional regulation. ?In order to have a solid roof, you need to have the rest of the house be well-built,? she says. ?And if the foundation has cracks, your house could be a little bit crooked.? Here are seven crafts you can do with young children that will help them fine-tune their sensory and motor skills, while fostering their creativity and emotional well-being. 
1. Make moon sand
Mix 1 cup brown sugar with 1 cup corn flour and 5 tbsp vegetab...