The 5 senses play a fundamental role in it evolutionary development of children. Thanks to them, children can explore, understand and relate to the environment around them. They not only serve to perceive the outside world, but also contribute to the construction of the spatial thinking, a key aspect in their cognitive and motor development. For more information, you can read about sensory stimuli and its impact on children's capabilities.
What is spatial perception?
La spatial perception It is the ability that allows human beings to understand the arrangement of objects in the environment and their own position in it. This ability develops throughout childhood and is closely related to the senses. There are two types of processes that make up spatial perception:
- Exteroceptive processes: those that allow us to capture information about the environment through the senses.
- Interoceptive processes: responsible for providing information about the body's own position and orientation in space.
The proper development of spatial perception is crucial for children's learning at school. It affects their ability to read, write, calculate, and perform motor activities such as running or jumping. Let's see how each sense contributes to this cognitive ability.
In addition, games to stimulate the senses They can be a very useful tool to improve children's spatial perception.
The development of spatial perception through the senses
The role of smell
El smell It is a sense that allows children to identify smells and develop spatial associations with them. Their perception is radial, which means that odorous stimuli are perceived from different points in the environment. This sense helps children to:
- Recognizing familiar environments: characteristic odors of your home, school or parks.
- Distinguish foods: allows you to identify flavors without having to taste them.
- Avoid dangers: recognize unpleasant or toxic odors, such as smoke.
Hearing and directionality
The sense of ear is another key element in spatial perception. Its perception is also radial and provides information about where sounds come from. As children develop, they learn to:
- Orienting yourself in space: turn your head or look towards the source of a sound.
- Relating distance and volume: Soft sounds indicate distance, while loud sounds are perceived as close.
- Understand the environment: recognize places by the characteristic sounds produced in each one.
The impact of vision on spatial perception
La view It is the sense that contributes the most in terms of distances and dimensions. In the first years of life, babies develop their visual acuity, which allows them to:
- Recognize depths and volumes: distinguish between a near object and a far object.
- Detect movements: which is key for sports activities or road safety.
- Relating shapes and sizes: facilitating the manipulation of objects and the learning of writing.
Therefore, you may consider introducing sports that not only stimulate spatial perception, but also encourage children's physical development.
The sense of touch and proprioception
El touch not only provides information about textures and temperatures, but also plays a crucial role in the Proprioception, the ability to recognize the position of one's own body in space. Thanks to the tactile sense, children can:
- Explore the environment: touch objects to understand their shape and function.
- Strengthen motor coordination: adjust grip pressure, for example when holding a pencil.
- Feeling gravity and balance: essential for the development of the vestibular system.
Taste and sensory memory
El taste It is the sense that allows us to perceive flavors and textures in foods, stimulating the sensory memory. This report contributes to:
- Establish associations between flavors and experiences: identifying pleasant or unpleasant foods.
- Encourage sensory exploration: trying new foods and expanding your taste knowledge.
- Strengthen recognition of the environment: distinguishing different types of food according to their geographical location.
It is also important to consider the Creativity through crafts as a way to stimulate the senses, which contributes to the development of spatial perception.
How to improve spatial perception in children
There are various strategies to stimulate the development of spatial perception in childhood. Some recommended activities are:
Sensory games and exercises
- Walking with your eyes closed: to enhance proprioception and spatial orientation.
- Going through mazes: developing spatial memory and planning skills.
- Identify objects by touch: promoting the recognition of shapes and textures.
Environment exploration
- Play in the park: Swinging on swings helps children perceive space and movement.
- Explore different environments: to associate visual, auditory and tactile stimuli.
- Practice sports: improves body control and the notion of distance and speed.
The physical activities They are essential to strengthen children's spatial perception, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Importance of the role of parents
Parents play a crucial role in stimulating spatial awareness. Some strategies include:
- Encourage observation of the environment: asking about colors, sizes, and positions of objects.
- Stimulate spatial orientation: teaching concepts such as right, left, up or down.
- Integrate sensory stimulation into your daily routine: how to cook with your child to enhance taste and smell.
The development of spatial perception through the senses in children is a fundamental process for their growth and learning. Stimulating each sense from an early age promotes cognitive development, orientation in space and motor skills. Games, experimentation and observation of the environment are key tools in this educational process.
