The landscape of early years education is evolving. Across the UK, caregivers, teachers, and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) are embracing innovative approaches to foster learning in young children. One enduring and essential element, however, remains at the heart of these practices: play.
Play-based learning is not just a trend—it’s a proven method that encourages cognitive, social, and emotional development in children. At Edx Education, we champion this philosophy with our range of educational toys, products, and resources. In this blog, we explore key trends in early years education, focusing on sensory play, sand and water play, and the growing role of science in early learning. We’ll also share how our Play, Learn & Create with Edx Education podcast can support caregivers and educators in fostering joyful learning experiences.
Trend 1: Sensory Play for Holistic Development
Sensory play has gained significant momentum in early years education, and for good reason. It engages children’s senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—to encourage exploration and discovery. This type of play is particularly beneficial for children with special educational needs, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD).
Through sensory activities, children develop fine motor skills, improve focus, and enhance their ability to regulate emotions. For example, playing with Edx Education’s Rainbow Pebbles® encourages tactile exploration while building creativity and problem-solving skills.
Parents and educators can integrate sensory play into daily routines using simple yet effective tools like sand, water, and textured toys. At Edx Education, we provide downloadable resources and activity guides to make this process even easier.
Trend 2: Sand and Water Play—The Ultimate Open-Ended Learning Tool
Sand and water play remains a cornerstone of early years education. It’s not only enjoyable but also deeply educational. This type of play allows children to experiment, investigate, and learn fundamental concepts in science and mathematics.
For example, as children scoop, pour, and measure water, they gain an understanding of capacity, volume, and cause-and-effect relationships. Similarly, constructing shapes in the sand promotes spatial awareness and fine motor development. These activities are inherently open-ended, meaning children can take the lead in their learning, fostering independence and critical thinking.
Edx Education’s sand and water trays, along with tools like Joey Jump and Maths Cubes, are designed to support these experiences. Our podcast episode on STEM learning through play dives deeper into the benefits of integrating these activities into everyday learning.
Trend 3: Science in Early Years Education
As the world increasingly values STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) skills, early years education is placing a greater emphasis on introducing scientific concepts through play. Children are natural scientists—they are curious, eager to experiment, and keen to learn how things work.
Sensory-rich activities like exploring water flow or experimenting with different textures in sand are excellent ways to introduce basic scientific principles. At Edx Education, we advocate for hands-on learning, which encourages children to hypothesize, test, and discover—all while having fun.
One of the biggest trends in early education today is linking play to real-world applications. For instance, our MyGears®sets teach foundational engineering concepts, while our Number Rods to Go seamlessly integrate math and problem-solving into play.
How Edx Education Supports Play-Based Learning
At Edx Education, we understand the profound impact play has on a child’s development. That’s why our products and resources are designed with play-based learning in mind. Our downloadable activity sheets, educational blogs, and Play, Learn & Create podcast provide parents, caregivers, and teachers with practical ideas to enhance learning through play.
The podcast, hosted by industry experts, explores topics like sensory play, STEAM education, and social and emotional learning. Recent episodes discuss how play supports children with special educational needs and how toys like Rainbow Pebbles® and Maths Cubes can be used to foster inclusivity and resilience.
Why Play-Based Learning Matters
Research consistently shows that play is the most effective way for children to learn. It fosters creativity, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. By integrating sand and water play, sensory activities, and STEM-based toys into daily routines, we can empower children to thrive in school and beyond.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, Edx Education is here to support you. Explore our range of educational toys, check out our free downloadable resources, and tune into our Play, Learn & Create podcast to discover new ways to make learning joyful and impactful.
Together, let’s champion play-based learning and nurture the next generation of curious, confident learners.