Since the late summer of 2024, the children at the UBCO Child Care Centre have been benefiting from a vibrant new addition to their environment: a dedicated sensory area designed to support their emotional, physical, and cognitive development. The area is equipped with tactile blocks, weighted toys, sensory balls, textured pads, and more—tools selected specifically to promote sensory exploration and support children’s diverse needs.
The early childhood educators have already seen noticeable improvements in the children’s ability to self-regulate, focus, and engage more meaningfully with their peers since the equipment has been provided.
“We’ve seen such a positive difference in the children’s behavior since the sensory room opened,” says Kamini Kishore, Program Manager of the UBCO Child Care Centre. “Having regular access to the equipment gives them an outlet for energy and emotions, and it helps set them up for a more successful day overall.”
The project was born from a research partnership between UBCO faculty member Dr. Stephen Berg (Okanagan School of Education) and the Child Care Centre’s leadership team.
Dr. Berg has a longstanding interest in early childhood environments, where he both teaches and conducts research. “Exploring the needs of both children and staff was at the forefront of the conversation with the centre,” says Dr. Berg. “Through that process, it became clear that sensory equipment and a dedicated space were a priority. The Child Care Centre has always been open to collaboration, and this partnership has grown naturally over time.”
This sensory equipment is not only enhancing daily learning, it’s also laying the groundwork for future research and professional development. The space provides a collaborative, safe and interactive area for children and early childhood educators to come together alongside graduate students and researchers to study sensory play. Dr. Berg recently completed interviews with the Centre’s early learning educators and sees the space as a hub for further study and student engagement.
“I believe there will be even more opportunities for research at the Child Care Centre,” he says. “We’re hopeful that graduate students interested in early learning will use the sensory room to conduct hands-on research that deepens our understanding of child development.”
The sensory equipment was made possible with funding from UBCO’s Critical Research Equipment & Tools Program.