The importance of sensory stimulation for babies
As we know, all babies develop and grow at their own pace, however it’s important that along the way for our new little humans, we assist them to explore their curiosity to nurture their development from an early age.
Through play, your baby’s brain develops in response to new forms of stimuli at an extremely rapid pace. Your baby is learning and connecting to the world around them through so many different forms of sensory engagement. For babies, simple sensory play such as touching a variety of objects and surfaces along with hearing how various materials create different sounds, all assists with their sensory stimulation.
Each new sensory experience your baby has helps to build their nerve connections assisting to grow the most important element of all, the brain.
Babies and their senses
Vision: When babies are born, they can only focus on items roughly 8-10 inches away. When your baby first opens their eyes, they see only in black and white, and gradually begin to see colours. This is why you will often see black and white cards being used in learning materials for young babies. As babies grow their visual stimulus increases, with objects becoming clearer and the distance that they can see improving.
Hearing: Your newborn’s hearing is normally fully developed at birth, however they’re quite sensitive to sounds even before they are born, in particular the voice of their mother.
Babies explore through their senses
Touch: You baby’s skin is sensitive to touch and is therefore a powerful learning tool to enhance their emotional learning. This is where those little smiles start to appear and where the earliest responses to touch are reflexive. For example, if you stroke your newborn’s foot, both their toes will flex. Babies under one year commonly respond to touch with an “all or nothing” response.
Taste/Smell/Texture: Babies have several hundred more sweet taste buds in their mouths than adults. This is why they may make upset faces when tasting bitter or sour foods for the very first time.
11 Simple sensory learning experiences for your baby
We understand that as new parents, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the things needed to assist your baby’s growth and development, but you are not alone!
We’ve put together a simple list below of things you can do with your baby in the comfort of your home to engage their senses and beyond.
Playing music and saying nursery rhymes
Sucking on teething toys
Introducing a variety of textured objects
Using black and white learning shape cards
Playing in water (at appropriate temperature)
Spending time outside in nature, listening to different noises like birds
Watching moving objects such as leaves and branches
Rolling or bouncing balls where your baby can watch them moving across the floor
Using rattles
Playing with colourful toys that move
Smelling new foods and flowers
For more information or help with your baby’s sensory learning and development, reach out to us here at Adelaide Paediatrics.
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Adelaide Paediatrics Ashford
Suite 15, Level 3 Ashford Specialist Centre
57-59 Anzac Highway
Ashford SA 5035T: 08 7123 6171
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Adelaide Paediatrics Bedford Park
Mark Oliphant Building
8/5 Laffer Drive
Bedford Park
SA 5042T: 08 7123 6149
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Adelaide Paediatrics Elizabeth Vale
32 Oldham Road
Elizabeth Vale
SA 5112T: 08 7123 6148
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Adelaide Paediatrics Kensington Park
360 Magill Road
Kensington Park SA 5068T: 08 7123 6176
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Adelaide Paediatrics Mile End
71 Henley Beach Road
Mile End SA 5031T: 08 7123 6147
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Adelaide Paediatrics Morphett Vale
221-223 Main South Road
Morphett Vale SA 5162T: 08 7123 6163
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Adelaide Paediatrics Mount Barker
2/50 Victoria Road
Mount Barker SA 5251T: 08 7123 6175
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Calvary Hospital
89 Strangways Terrace
North Adelaide SA 5006T: 08 7123 6173
F: 08 8239 9119 -
Adelaide Paediatrics Wayville
The Terraces
4-6 Goodwood Road
Wayville SA 5034T: 08 7123 6177
F: 08 7123 0821