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Welcome to the next article in our “Learning Through the Senses” series, where we will be exploring how each of the senses plays a role in children’s development and learning.
As children grow, their sensory experiences influence how they perceive, interact with, and learn from their environment. The way we perceive things can be categorized based on the type of sensory input that the brain is receiving:
EXTERNAL SENSORY INPUT: Sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell
INTERNAL SENSORY INPUT: Proprioception, vestibular, kinesis (movement)
In this article, we will be focusing on learning through touch/tactile perception in children. Tactile perception is the awareness of what we have touched and what has touched our bodies. Cells in the skin send information about touch, pain, temperature, and pressure to the brain. It is through touch – without sight – that a child learns about shapes, size, weight, and texture.
Tactile perception in children helps them to differentiate between sensations, texture, and temperature through touch.
Touch helps with emotional regulation and stress relief in children. Positive tactile experiences, such as a hug or gentle massage, stimulate the release of oxytocin, which helps children feel safe and secure. Touch also supports motor planning, or praxis, which is how the brain organizes and executes physical actions. Children with a strong tactile foundation can better navigate their environment, discerning between different surfaces and textures to coordinate their movements effectively.
Tactile learning encourages children to explore the world with their hands, feet, and skin. This helps them develop spatial awareness and the ability to differentiate between textures, shapes, and weights. These activities also support the development of both fine and gross motor skills, which are important for physical tasks and cognitive growth.
Touch is also connected to emotional well-being. Comforting and gentle tactile interactions develop secure attachments in children, which creates a foundation for emotional resilience and trust. This allows children to gain a sense of safety and security, helping them to navigate both physical and social environments more comfortably and confidently.
Examples
Some activities that can improve the tactile sense include:
A well-developed tactile system helps children understand their bodies and their surroundings, giving them a strong foundation for both physical and emotional growth. Learning through touch helps our children to build security and a sense of confidence to better engage with the world around them.
