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¢ BOPINION _ SENSORY FUN IN THE SUN IN WATERLOO REGION MARSHALL WARD Column adaptive, accessible and universally designed," she said. Her family runs Four Corners saa oag and lamping, a business that is completely “off the grid," ered by solar energy, and located just four kilo- Algonquin Pro- Waterloo Chronicle | Thursday, May 4, 202: Spring is here, and Wa- terloo Region offers an end- es variety of free and low- ry experiences for wads both indoors and out- doors. Sensory experienc important for a number of of reasons. They stimulate connections in the brain, help to develop and teach important concen, Most of all, they are a great way I recently chatted with Angela Pollak, a social sci- entist who has practised her trade in media, high-tech, research, education, and courism. "I'ma big fan ofall things waterloochronicle.ca vincial Park, described as a birder’s paradise and world-class destination for and canoeing. So Pollak knows a thing or two about finding senso- -rich and engaging envi- ronments for children and their families. “Sensory is a word par- ents hear a bot of these days, but it's not soi its, cither dency know or learn about unless they have sensory-people in their lives," she said. "Senso- ry needs, sensory process- ing, sensory play, all refer to e way children — or peo- ple in general —en- gage with the world through their senses of vision, hear- -ees.2886 Dundas St W, Te , 1 ing {aste, ‘ouch, and smell" "And no matter the child, it can change from moment to moment, day to day, hour to hour and year to year, so it pays to have a range of tools in your tool box to scale your environment up or down according to your family's needs in any specif- ic situation,” she said. Research increasingly shows that loors does wonders for our physical, mental, and emo- tional well-being, said Pol- lak. “Throughout the cities and townships in our region are scattered i parks, forests, trails and woodland sensory experi- ences waiting to be discov- ered," she said. "Whether it's well travelled like Huron Park or Rockway Gardens, or one of the hidden gems in Sara Geidlinger photo Splash pads, like the one at the Boardwalk in Waterloo are wonderful places to spend a few hours relaxing with the kids while they experience their senses to the fullest. your I en- courage you to get out and lore." Then there are the many jouses and nurseries you can find in Waterloo Re- gion, like Belgian, Gold Leaf Botanicals, ily's favourite, Colour Paradise. "Nurseries and green- houses are abuzz with plant life of all shapes, sizes and "There is a tae to woes at, touch and smell in these fpmbridge. en St, ees ON NIR 1V7 519) 740-9991 y From cacti to sensitive plants, children experienc plants on tables at their lev- el." 8 When my kids were lit- tle, my family spent many mornings at splash pads like the ones at Waterloo Park, Victoria Park, and esn't like being wet on a hot day?" said Pol- lak. "Splash pads are a won- derful place to spend a few Paris hours relaxing with the kids while they experience their senses to the fullest. It's not picking up fresh produce from local farmers. “The St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market is a sea of unique and unusual things to see, do and listen to," said Pol- Jak. "From buskers and ani- mals outside in the summer, toa the booths in the Ped- Village, to the smell of take goods like apple frit- ers and pies.” She added, "Weare really lucky here in Waterloo Re- gion. By design and by ce, We so fabulous free and low-cost ways to engage our kids in sensory play in our public and semipublic spaces." Marshall Ward is a Sreelance writer and artist. Check out his award-win- ning podcast at bonnpark- com. 300 Grand River St N, Paris, ON N3L 3R7 @cornerstonefurniture_ iG) - many