The senses and learning in children

I will try to explain in a simple way and without many details this complex process, from the neurological point of view, we could say that through our senses are generated nerve impulses that, upon reaching the brain, produce the perception of objects and the world around us. Therefore, it could be said that sensation leads us to perception, this to the development of intelligence and therefore to learning. It is worth mentioning that during this process, the emotional or psychological part is also formed and developed. Hence, it is a very valuable process in the human being. When a child learns to write or read, it is because he has achieved an infinity of inner and secret personal conquests, small imperceptible miracles that are finally realized in the great step of reading and writing.

It is not the same to read a text with or without images, to see a film on the subject before or after reading information about it, or to visualize an experiment in the laboratory, feeling the smells of the substances, touching and manipulating them. The senses can also be disturbed by noise, for example, and this makes it difficult to learn, for example if they are building in the school or a neighboring property, or when traffic noise is heard, or the students talk to each other.

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However, a soft music can be very stimulating, especially if it accompanies the reading of a story, or if it is listened to while drawing or recreating a situation. However, if it is responsible for the performance of arithmetic calculations or interpretation of a complex text, silence is preferable.

Taking children to learn about nature, smelling the scent of flowers, touching plants, observing their growth or seeing the behavior of animals, and insects, hearing birds singing and learning to differentiate them, are experiences that are not They will forget, because they have been part of their learning process in which they participated actively and creatively.

Although it seems incredible certain smells can promote learning, such as the aroma of rosemary that stimulates memory.

Your baby and the world of the sensory

Knowing all this, I assure you that you will begin to see with new eyes the alerts that light up when your little one, since baby is easily irritated, does not want to change his clothes, does not tolerate bathing, that covers his eyes or ears, does not allow food new and under no circumstances seeks to experience new textures or sensations. Some problems are clearer to detect between 2 and 4 years, because children begin to have problems driving a cart, driving a small tricycle, holding a pencil, climbing or manipulating objects. The problem progresses and becomes problems for reading and writing, the writing process becomes an ordeal and basic mathematics seems to be a high differential calculus operation.

Movement develops language, and language intelligence

Once your baby is born, feeding, rest, grooming and sensory stimulation are important. Expose your child to the light, to the sound, touch his skin with different textures and shapes, sing for him and introduce food according to the pediatrician recommends. There are no races, no hurry, you just have to introduce the world to your baby, bath time is a great time to experiment and develop sensations that make the brain work and develop.

Remember this, movement develops language and language intelligence. This means that your little one must move, reach objects, try them and know them. As it develops its movement, connections are made that will set the pattern for the appearance of language. The baby listens and plays sounds until it becomes words, understands, responds and communicates; With communication there is an exchange of ideas and the brain grows and matures.

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Suggestions for sensory development

• Say goodbye to shoes: A child does not need to wear shoes until after one year of age and must take them off to walk at home and perceive with their feet the sensations of walking in different textures.

• Let him grab the food and enjoy it with his whole body: Prepare to be pulled and put on his head, the waist against his skin and squeeze. That freedom to manipulate food develops perception and sensations in a wonderful way.

• Do not limit the hand: Let him grab what is within his reach, and if there is something dangerous, remove it before the baby sees it and wants it. Leave interesting things at your fingertips for you to enjoy.

• Sing and dance: Experience different rhythms, sounds, music from around the world. No limits to the child to infantilisms and corny things; speak with a broad vocabulary and be happy in your pronunciation.

For other people it is impossible to think if it is not through images. The development of concept maps will help them memorize and learn. Other people need to hear, to listen. The noise, the rhythms, are very useful for these students. Providing all students with knowledge about each of the senses will allow them to open their channels to new learning. Teachers can offer verbal guidelines or present their visual information, but they can also use movement and gestures.

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