Engaging the 5 Senses with Your Little One: A Journey of Discovery

Hey there! Let's talk about something that doesn't
require another Amazon purchase or Pinterest fail - using our five
senses to connect with our little ones. (Though if you've already
bought that sensory table you've been eyeing, we totally support that
decision! )

The Magic of Sensory Exploration

You know that moment when your toddler is absolutely fascinated by a
leaf they found, while you're trying to hurry them along? Or when your
preschooler insists on touching every surface in Target? There's
actually some pretty amazing brain development happening in these
(sometimes inconvenient) moments.

Let's break down some simple ways to engage each sense - and don't
worry, none of these require perfect execution or a clean house!

Sight
- For infants: Try high-contrast images or making silly faces. Your
baby thinks you're hilarious, and this back-and-forth is building
crucial neural connections.
- For toddlers: Go on a color hunt around your house. "Can you find
something blue?" (Bonus: This buys you time to finish your cold
coffee!)
- For preschoolers: Shadow play! Use flashlights to create shapes on
the wall. Warning: This may become their new favorite bedtime delay
tactic.

Sound
- For infants: Narrate your day. Yes, even the mundane parts. "Mommy's
loading the dishwasher because apparently we go through 47 spoons a
day."
- For toddlers: Make silly sounds together. Animal noises, car sounds,
or whatever weird noise that only makes sense to your two-year-old.
- For preschoolers: Create a "sound walk" around Westwood. What do you
hear? (Birds, construction, that one neighbor who really loves their
leaf blower...)

Smell
- For infants: Let them smell different foods as you cook. Just maybe
not the fish sticks.
- For toddlers: Explore outdoor smells. Fresh cut grass, flowers, and
yes, even that weird mushroom they found.
- For preschoolers: Play "guess the smell" with safe household items
like vanilla, cinnamon, or coffee beans.

Taste
- For infants: When starting solids, remember that confused face they
make with new flavors is totally normal and hilarious.
- For toddlers: Try describing tastes beyond "yucky" or "yummy."
Sweet, sour, smooth, crunchy - build that vocabulary!
- For preschoolers: Have them help in the kitchen. Yes, it'll take
longer. Yes, there will be mess. Yes, it's worth it.

Touch
- For infants: Different textures are fascinating! Smooth, rough,
soft, bumpy - just keep items bigger than a toilet paper roll.
- For toddlers: Sensory bins! Fill with rice, beans, or pasta. (Pro
tip: Put a sheet under it for easier cleanup)
- For preschoolers: Playdough, slime, or kinetic sand. Channel your
inner calm when it inevitably gets in their hair.

Remember...

Every child explores their senses differently. Some might dive right
into touching slimy things, while others prefer to observe from a safe
distance (much like how we adults approach trying new foods at
potlucks).

The goal isn't to create perfect sensory experiences - it's about
being present and curious together. Sometimes the best sensory
activities happen spontaneously, like splashing in puddles on the way
to the car or noticing how warm the sun feels on your face.

And parents, here's your permission slip: You don't need to turn every
moment into a learning opportunity. Sometimes a leaf is just a leaf,
and that's perfectly okay. What matters most is the connection you're
building with your child through these shared experiences.

Quick Tip for Overwhelmed Moments:
When everything feels too much (we've all been there), try this: Take
three deep breaths with your little one. Make it silly with animal
sounds if you want. This not only helps regulate both of you but also
sneaks in some sensory play. Win-win!

At Encounter Learning Center, we're here to support your family's
journey of discovery. Feel free to chat with your child's teachers
about how we're incorporating sensory experiences in the classroom -
we promise it involves less mess than doing it at home!

Remember, you're doing great. Even if your toddler just used all five
senses to investigate that piece of lint they found under the couch.