This guide will help you answer 1.1 Describe sensory development in the first year of life.
Sensory development in the first year of life is crucial for a child’s overall growth. It involves the maturation of the senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. These senses help a baby understand the world around them. This development also lays the foundation for cognitive, motor, and social skills. Let’s explore each sense.
Sight
Birth to 1 Month
At birth, a baby’s vision is quite limited. Newborns can see objects about 20-30 cm away. This is the perfect distance for focusing on a caregiver’s face while feeding. During the first month, babies can only see in black, white, and shades of grey.
2 to 3 Months
Around two months, a baby starts to see colours, but their colour perception is not fully developed. They may prefer high-contrast patterns and bright colours.
4 to 6 Months
By four months, depth perception begins to develop. Babies start to follow moving objects with their eyes. They also become better at distinguishing between different shades of the same colour.
7 to 12 Months
From seven months onwards, babies’ vision becomes more precise. They can see further distances and recognise familiar faces from across the room. Babies at this stage enjoy watching complex patterns and moving objects.
Hearing
Birth to 1 Month
Babies are born with the ability to hear quite well. They can recognise their mother’s voice shortly after birth. Loud noises might startle them, causing sudden jerks or crying.
2 to 3 Months
During this period, babies start to distinguish between different sounds. They might turn their head towards a noise. They also start to coo and make gurgling sounds, experimenting with their vocal cords.
4 to 6 Months
By four months, babies become more responsive to vocal tones and music. They begin to recognise the sound of their own name and react when spoken to.
7 to 12 Months
In this stage, babies can understand simple words and phrases. They start to mimic sounds and may try to make specific sounds they hear often. They enjoy listening to stories, songs, and rhymes.
Touch
Birth to 1 Month
From birth, a baby’s sense of touch is highly developed. They are sensitive to touch and temperature. Gentle strokes and cuddles can soothe them.
2 to 3 Months
Babies begin to explore textures. They grasp objects and bring them to their mouth to “feel” them. This is part of their sensory exploration.
4 to 6 Months
By four months, babies start to use their hands more skilfully. They explore objects by holding, squeezing, and passing them from one hand to the other.
7 to 12 Months
From seven months onwards, babies’ fine motor skills improve. They can pick up small items using a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger). They explore textures, such as soft toys, bumpy surfaces, and smooth objects, aiding their sensory development.
Taste
Birth to 1 Month
Newborns have a preference for sweet tastes. This is why they are naturally attracted to breast milk or formula, which both have a sweet flavour.
2 to 3 Months
During this period, taste preferences are relatively stable, though babies continue to develop their oral sensations through sucking and mouthing objects.
4 to 6 Months
At around six months, babies are usually ready to start solid foods. This allows them to experience a variety of new tastes, from sweet fruits to slightly bitter vegetables.
7 to 12 Months
In this stage, babies become more adventurous with their palate. They enjoy trying different flavours and may show preferences for certain foods. This is a critical period for introducing diverse tastes and fostering healthy eating habits.
Smell
Birth to 1 Month
A baby’s sense of smell is quite developed at birth. Babies can recognise the scent of their mother and are comforted by it.
2 to 3 Months
Babies begin to respond to different scents. They may turn away from unpleasant odours and move towards more pleasant ones.
4 to 6 Months
By four months, babies continue to develop their sense of smell. They may show interest in the scents of foods and familiar people.
7 to 12 Months
From seven months onwards, a baby’s sense of smell becomes more refined. They can better distinguish between different scents. This sense works in tandem with taste to help them explore new foods.
Importance of Sensory Development
Sensory development is integral for a baby’s interaction with their environment. It helps in:
- Cognitive Development: Through sensory experiences, babies learn about cause and effect. For example, shaking a rattle makes a sound.
- Motor Skills: Sensory development enhances both fine and gross motor skills. Holding and manipulating objects improve hand-eye coordination.
- Social Skills: Recognising faces, voices, and scents plays a crucial role in forming attachments and social bonds.
- Language Development: Hearing words and sounds contributes to language acquisition.
Supporting Sensory Development
As an early years practitioner, you can support sensory development through:
- Tummy Time: This helps babies strengthen their muscles and explore different textures.
- Visual Stimulation: Use brightly coloured toys and high-contrast books.
- Auditory Stimulation: Talk to babies, sing songs, and play music.
- Tactile Exploration: Provide different textures for babies to touch and explore.
- Taste and Smell Exploration: Introduce a variety of flavours and scents in a safe environment.
Conclusion
Understanding sensory development in the first year of life allows us to create supportive environments for babies. The first year is marked by rapid changes and significant growth. By nurturing their senses, we help lay the groundwork for their future cognitive, motor, and social development.
Your role as an early years practitioner is vital. Through intentional activities and environments, you can stimulate and support the sensory development of the children in your care. This ensures they develop a solid foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.
