Tickling The Senses

Discover how stimulating your baby’s senses can lead to crucial learning opportunities and why it pays to play.

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When babies are born, their first directive is to explore the world with their senses. A baby’s brain undergoes most of its development during the first five years of their lives, making early sensory stimulation a crucial part of their growth. The best (and most fun) way for babies to engage their senses is through sensory play. A 2012 study by Minnesota Children’s Museum (MCM) describes sensory play as a way to instill children with a deep-rooted inclination for learning. Sensory play encapsulates all areas of development, including language, problem solving, creativity, and socio-emotional growth.

From music and movement to splashing around in a bubble bath, sensory play refers to any play which stimulates the five senses: sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. It also aids the development of two other lesser mentioned senses: body awareness and sense of balance. Also known as proprioception, body awareness is the ability to sense the relative position of self and movement. It’s what enables us to move our limbs without looking at them. Balance, on the other hand, is essential for humans to function effectively. Whether it’s sitting still or riding a bike, we need the ability to control our balance for both static and dynamic activities. Engaging in sensory activities helps the brain create stronger connections to process and respond to sensory information. When a baby is actively stimulating her senses, it lays down the foundation for her to develop other learning skills naturally.

Playing to Learn