Look, Listen, Touch, Taste and Smell are the common 5 senses. But did you know there are 2 more? Movement and Balance are often senses that get forgotten about.
Sight
A newborn vision is blurry at first and can only see in black & white. Babies are born with the ability to focus only at close range. This is about 8 to 10 inches, just far enough to see your face when having a cuddle. Babies are able to follow or track an object in the first few weeks of life. Each week sight slowly improves, from around 12 weeks old baby can start to see some colours.
Hearing
Even as early as in pregnancy, your little one can responded to sound, many mothers find that the baby may kick or jump in response to loud noises and may quiet with soft, soothing music. Babies will also pay closer attention to the mother’s or father’s voice.
Smell
A baby’s sense of smell are well developed at birth, from day one baby can recognise its parents smell. Babies enjoys contact with Mum and Dad – this releases feel-good endorphines.
Taste
Babies prefer sweet tastes over sour or bitter tastes. Even before they are born they have been tasting what mum has been eating.
Touch
Babies & toddlers are comforted by touch. Babies crave the closeness, even by placing a hand on a baby tummy or a cuddle makes them feel more secure.
Movement & Balance
Often these sense are forgotten about, these senses are about being able to know your sense of space & movement. From a very young age babies can sense when they are going down in a lift, or when they are laying down or sitting up. At the crawling and walking stages, they knowingly positon themselves to navigate through tight spots or walking along a balancing beam. Try closing your eyes and then clap your hands, you cannot see your arms or hands yet you know where they are and move them to where you want them to be.
Even the simplest things can help your baby understand their little world.
Next time you have a cuddle with your baby. Notice how many senses are being used. They can see your face and hear your voice. They can feel your touch and a gentle sense of movement, and they can smell you, too. All these sensations send messages to your baby’s brain and help them learn.
Go to our Tips page on how to use your sensory aids and work towards a great sensory experience for your little one.