Perceptual Development and The Five senses:

Infants and toddlers learn about their world using the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste). The development of perception creates neural networks: diverse sensory games contribute to the development of the brain of infants and to all learning (Eğrikılınç & Dere, 2024). A diverse sensory environment also assists infants in self-regulating and exploring safely.

Teacher Competencies and Skills

Sensory knowledge: Early childhood educators ought to know about usual sensory milestones to facilitate the growth of perceptions of infants.
Design of environment: Offer different sensual experiences and locations (e.g. textured toys, music, silent space).
Notice: Be aware of the sensorial needs and adjust (e.g. take breaks); attention to the needs assists children with regulation and participation.
Language: The teachers can broaden the perceptual growth by introducing the sensory vocabulary (smooth, rough, loud and soft), playfully, in everyday interactions.

Curriculum Examples

Tactile activities like water and sand tables or sensory boards, which have rough surfaces, enable children to use many of their senses together, like touch, sight and sound, to enhance their perceptual sensitivity. Movement activities and music played on simple instruments help children to discover rhythm, hearing, as well as body coordination. Outdoor nature discovery- touching, sniffing, and hearing- provides effective real-life experiences of infants and toddlers in terms of the ability to combine sensory input with curiosity and learning

Learning Experiences by Age

In infants (0-12 months old), a texture exploration mat with different fabrics and tactile toys encourages early sensory interaction. The educator also labels the sensations, including smooth, soft, or rough, as the baby touches each item, creating early perceptual language. Sound and touch boxes are available to toddlers (12-24 months old) to play with noise-makers (bells, shakers) and textured materials (playdough or feathers). Children are asked to explain what they hear or feel. A scent and texture hunt with objects such as cinnamon sticks, lemon peel, feathers, or sandpaper, by 2–3 years, facilitates sensory discrimination and vocabulary development.