Review – Sensory Board

A busy schedule continues to keep me occupied. The end of the year means there are various things to conclude on the Trustees boards I sit on (Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, and SMASH). Recent photo shoots have been timed to ensure products are ready in time for Christmas. And there always seems to be a lot to plan and prepare for at this time of year. Whether it’s the lead up to the festive season, or booking work and meetings for next year. However, among all of this, I had the opportunity to product test a sensory board, made by Emily at Treasured Little Things. When I say ‘I’, of course, I mean our son did the testing while I observed.

At 81 by 41 cm, and very sturdy, our board is best used in a vertical position. It comprises a range of items including:

• Mirror
• Xylophone
• Bells
• Light
• Switch
• Remote control handset
• Tube
• Textured flashing balls
• Glitter bottle
• Lava bottle
• Feathers
• Fidget spinner

A sensory feast for a little person. Even at just 6 months old, he enjoys exploring the entire range of options on the board. He’s a bit young to play the xylophone particularly tunefully yet, but likes using the plastic mallet to hit the keys, and other parts of the board.

Whether watching the textured balls drop through the tunnel into the pot below, or playing with them independently, our son particularly likes this part of the board. The flashing colours are eye-catching and hold his attention a while, when he pauses for breath.

Our son is no stranger to technology, and enjoys pressing buttons on my computer, and changing the display screen on my watch. The remote control on the sensory board (removable), is therefore a welcome inclusion. He can press as much as he likes without altering any settings. He also likes pushing the on/off light and watching that respond.

There is a removable wooden ring with ribbons, which is currently our son’s favourite item. A lovely size to hold onto, the ribbons swirl as he waves his arms, creating a rainbow of colour above him. This invariably leads to plenty of laughter and faster arm waving.

The glitter and lava bottles were much appreciated removable elements of the board. We sometimes lie next to each other watching as I turn the bottles in the air above us. It’s a relaxing way to converse, I create stories of wonder and magic, while the shapes and colours shift within the bottles above us.

Anything with colour, moving parts, or noise, catches the imagination, and the sensory board has sections which do all of these. To withstand the most rigorous of users, the board needs to be tough, but safe. It is both, although is not a babysitter substitute. The sensory board is there to explore together, not to occupy the child while parent attention is elsewhere. There is a logic to the layout, which pleases both an analytical and creative eye. The colours are varied but not over-powering. The stimuli are mixed, without being cluttered. And our son’s name was written beautifully across the top of the board. This small inclusion is more than just a presentational flourish. It really instills a feeling of a beautifully created, and very personal item.

Overall, the board is a lovely inclusion to the toy box, and will be suitable for our son for months to come. As his motor skills advance, there is more he can learn and practice through the board. While it is too large to take out with us, it’s great to have removable parts which can be packed easily into a nappy bag. Sensory entertainment at home and on the move, what more could one wish for?!

Emily handcrafts a wide range of personalised items including toys, ornaments, and decorations. She is very responsive to customer requests, and takes the utmost care over each creation. I recommend her very highly; do visit her Facebook page for a look at some of her products. She prepared Christmas eve boxes this year, which look wonderful. I think our son would have been a little young to appreciate it fully, but it’s already on my shopping list for next year.

On which note, I shall sign off by saying thank you as always for reading and I wish you and your families a peaceful festive season.