Supporting a child’s development by providing a wide range of sensory experiences is one of the key elements of modern education. Sensory toys, designed to stimulate touch, sight, hearing and deep sensory systems, help young children better perceive and interpret stimuli from their surroundings. In a world dominated by synthetic materials, returning to nature is especially valuable - and wicker, with its structure, scent and natural warmth, becomes an ideal material for products that support sensory integration. The WickerStories range shows how the combination of traditional craftsmanship and a modern approach to child development results in toys and accessories that are not only beautiful, but above all functional and genuinely beneficial for the senses.
The natural texture of wicker as the foundation of tactile experiences
In toys, wicker plays a role that goes far beyond decoration. Its natural texture, with visible and tangible weaves, varying thicknesses of the rods and subtle irregularities, offers children something plastic toys simply cannot - authentic sensory stimulation. By touching wicker, a child learns to distinguish textures, respond to differences in surfaces and develop their sense of touch, which is the foundation of sensory integration.
In the Montessori approach, contact with natural materials is particularly valued, as they accurately reflect the real properties of the world around us. In this respect, wicker is truly unique - firm yet flexible, with its own delicate, plant-like scent and a subtle response to changes in room temperature. As a result, wicker toys such as a lined wicker pushchair with a handle and wooden wheels, or a wicker doll’s cradle, become an exceptionally rich source of sensory input for a child’s developing nervous system.
Wicker in sensory toys and motor and emotional development
Contact with wicker - its weight, springiness and noticeable texture - naturally supports the development of fine motor skills, movement planning and hand-eye coordination. When a child places objects into and takes them out of a basket, pushes a wicker walker or plays with a wicker doll’s pram, they learn to consciously control their movements, regulate the force they use and gradually strengthen and stabilise their hands.
Wicker toys can also support emotional regulation. For children who are over-sensitive to stimuli, the touch of this natural material often has a calming effect - it is gentle, predictable and close to nature. For children with lower sensory responsiveness, wicker can provide more distinct stimuli that help activate touch receptors and engage them more effectively. A handmade doll placed in a wicker doll’s cradle creates a natural space for building bonds, practising social skills and learning gentle, mindful movements. Such everyday play experiences genuinely support a child’s emotional development.
WickerStories wicker products as tools for therapy and play
In the context of sensory integration, it is extremely important that a child’s environment is thoughtfully designed, both in terms of stimuli and spatial organisation. WickerStories products combine these two perspectives - on the one hand offering rich tactile stimulation, and on the other helping to create an orderly, aesthetic environment that supports independence. Thanks to their natural texture and warm, muted colours, they align perfectly with Montessori principles, where the environment is meant to support rather than overwhelm the child.
Storage solutions play a crucial role in a child’s room. A wicker toy basket, various children’s baskets or a practical lined wicker basket on wheels not only help to keep things tidy, but also become tools for practising independence. By reaching into the basket, moving it or putting toys away, a child naturally engages their arm muscles and practises coordination and movement planning. Opening and closing a wicker toy basket with a lid further supports the development of fine motor skills and precise, controlled grips that are essential at later stages of learning.
The WickerStories range also includes toys that naturally nurture a child’s need to explore and allow them to use sensory experiences in everyday play. A lined wicker doll’s pram with a pillow and blanket, or a set including a wicker pram and doll’s cradle, enables children to transform tactile sensations into more complex activities - pushing, pulling, arranging and planning play scenarios. What initially begins as simple interest in texture gradually evolves into conscious use of objects and the creation of the first elements of imaginative play.
Completing this concept are wicker decorations and hanging baskets for children’s rooms, which help to create a cohesive and harmonious interior. The soft, natural look of wicker does not overstimulate the child, but instead provides a gentle backdrop for play and rest. Placing favourite soft toys, lightweight toys or small items in hanging baskets not only keeps the space organised, but also encourages children to reach for items independently and put them back in their place. In this way, a room furnished with WickerStories products becomes a space that stimulates the senses, teaches organisation and strengthens a child’s sense of security - supporting all the key aspects of healthy development.
In a reality dominated by plastic products, returning to natural materials is a conscious choice in favour of a child’s healthy development. WickerStories products prove that toys can combine aesthetics with functionality and a real developmental impact, while their natural structure and handcrafted quality make them a truly special part of a child’s everyday world.
