A three-year-old child growing up in the fast-paced, screen-saturated world of the current decade is experiencing unprecedented levels of sensory overload. From constant digital notifications around them to over-scheduled days, our average young learner is bombarded with stimuli that can overwhelm their developing nervous systems.

In this article we explore what overstimulation looks like and how our Forest House Playgroup for 3-5 year olds makes use of the holistic zone approach to help children learn in a self regulated environment.

The overstimulation epidemic

Modern childhood looks dramatically different from just two decades ago. Smartphones connected to global data resources, tablets, endless entertainment options, and packed schedules have replaced much of a slower way of life and with it, hours of unstructured play and quieter moments. Research shows that most children growing up in households with access to this kind of technology now spend significantly less time in free, outdoor play compared to previous generations. This shift is having profound implications for their cognitive, emotional, and physical development.

Signs of overstimulation in young children

The following are some of the indicators of kids growing up in overstimulated spaces.

  • Difficulty focusing or paying attention
  • Excessive energy or, conversely, complete shutdown and withdrawal
  • Inability to self-regulate emotions
  • Heightened sensory sensitivity; as in to sounds, touches, or visual stimuli
  • Trouble sleeping or experiencing restless nights
  • Increased irritability or frequent emotional outbursts

The Zone Approach – a holistic solution

At Nature Plays Forest School, we’ve created a carefully crafted environment that addresses these challenges through intentionally designed play zones. Each space serves a unique purpose, or speaks to a child in a unique moment of energy, allowing them to naturally regulate their sensory input and emotional states.

Our Six Purposeful Play Zones

1. Expansive Outdoor Play Area

This is a fairly unmanicured, shaded garden space that invites exploration of nature and the seasons. Our garden space allows children to move and roam freely and connect with this seasonally changing environment. It also provides plenty room for unstructured play opportunities that develop creativity and problem-solving skills.

2. Muddy Kitchen

This is a wonderful, sensory-rich space for tactile exploration. The small toddler height kitchen space, encourages messy play that supports fine motor skill development. It also provides open-ended play opportunities, a suitable space for little ones to act out scenarios that they may have observed in the home. This not only boosts imagination, but allows them to ground in family traditions and basic habits and acts around food preparation.

3. Indoor Play Room

Our indoor play space is a more structured room with games and coloring activities. This zone offers a controlled environment for focused play. Here, children’s artworks hang on the walls and nature finds and collectibles adorn shelves for independent observation. This space helps children develop concentration and fine motor skills and is particularly soothing to little ones who gravitate towards order and find comfort in methodical learning activities.

4. Quiet Reading Zone

Our quiet zone is a recently incorporated space of soft cushions and beautifully selected books. It’s an integral, low-stimulus environment that invites calm and quiet time. Spaces like this support emotional regulation and, of course, literacy development. For children who struggle with sensory overload, or who prefer cleanliness, or even when any of them (and all of them do) need an occasional sensory break, this is also a great retreat where the imagination can bloom in hushed tones. Spaces like this also help kids learn to respect other individual’s boundaries and agreements for use of spaces.

5. Construction & Play Area/ Partially Outdoor Tented

This is a dedicated space for those who want to explore wood play and building, even during blustery weather. It encourages spatial reasoning and engineering skills and allows for focused, creative play within a semi-contained boundary but still not entirely closed off to the elements and influence of natural environments.

6. Movement & Balance Zone

The kids love this space – a climbing tree with slack line attached. This area supports gross motor skill development, provides an outlet for physical energy and helps develop proprioception, body awareness and sharing and consideration of others in physically active spaces.

The Science behind Zones

Intentional play environments do more than entertain—they support crucial developmental processes. By providing diverse zones, we allow children to:

  • Self-regulate their sensory input
  • Choose their level of engagement
  • Develop emotional intelligence
  • Build physical and cognitive skills naturally

Much of this is done by checking in with our hearts, minds and bodies and choosing to be in a zone or participate in an activity that feels right for our current emotional needs.

Benefits of Zoned Approach

  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Improved focus and attention span
  • Enhanced emotional regulation
  • Better sleep patterns
  • Increased creativity and problem-solving skills
  • Stronger sense of self and environment

A note to parents

While these spaces may have existed more organically in the past, intentionally creating space for unstructured, varied play in today’s world isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. By supporting environments that allow children to explore, rest, and engage at their own pace, we’re giving them invaluable tools for lifelong learning and emotional well-being.

Our zones aren’t about controlling every moment but about creating opportunities for natural, holistic, self-regulated development.

Sometimes, the most powerful learning happens in the quietest corners or the messiest spaces.

Remember: Every child is unique. What works for one kid might not work for another. Even siblings can have vastly different preferences. Observe, adapt, and most important, trust in your child’s innate ability to tell you how best they want to learn and grow.