Milestones, Stimulation, and Parental Guidance

By Rabia GÜRER GÜRKAN, Senior Child Development Specialist

Sensory development lays the foundation for how infants and toddlers perceive, understand, and interact with the world. From birth, children begin exploring their surroundings through the senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, balance, and body awareness. These early sensory experiences are crucial for cognitive, emotional, social, and motor development.

Understanding how these systems mature between 0 and 2 years empowers parents and caregivers to provide the right types of support for optimal growth and lifelong learning.

What Is Sensory Development?

Sensory development refers to the maturation of the body’s systems for detecting and processing stimuli. The seven primary sensory systems include:

1. Visual (Sight)
   
2. Auditory (Hearing)
   
3. Tactile (Touch)
   
4. Olfactory (Smell)
   
5. Gustatory (Taste)
   
6. Vestibular (Balance and Spatial Orientation)
   
7. Proprioceptive (Body Awareness and Movement)
   

Together, these systems help children navigate, learn from, and engage with their environment.

Developmental Milestones: Birth to 24 Months

👶 0–6 Months: Sensory Awakening

• Vision: Newborns detect shapes and high-contrast colors. By 2–3 months, they begin to track moving objects and recognize familiar faces.
  
• Hearing: Fully functional at birth. Babies respond to familiar voices and begin distinguishing between different sounds.
  
• Touch: Highly developed. Skin-to-skin contact promotes bonding and emotional security.
  
• Smell and Taste: Newborns recognize their mother’s scent and prefer sweet flavors.
  
• Vestibular/Proprioception: Gentle rocking provides comfort and regulates mood and sleep.
  

👶 6–12 Months: Sensory Exploration

• Begin crawling, boosting proprioceptive and vestibular input.
  
• Use hands and mouth to explore textures and objects.
  
• Show interest in new sounds and begin developing object permanence.
  
• Start imitating sounds, gestures, and facial expressions.
  

👶 12–24 Months: Sensory Integration and Refinement

• Walking, running, and climbing improve spatial awareness.
  
• React to and identify different flavors, smells, and textures.
  
• Develop clear preferences for certain sensory inputs.
  
• Engage in multi-sensory and pretend play.
  
• Recognize basic emotions through facial cues.
  

Why Sensory Development Matters

Sensory input shapes the architecture of the brain. According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, “neuronal connections are shaped by early interactions between genes and environment.” In other words, experience fuels development.

Early sensory experiences impact:

• Language acquisition
  
• Emotional regulation
  
• Problem-solving skills
  
• Social interaction
  
• Motor coordination
  
• Attention and concentration
  

When sensory development is supported in a balanced and engaging way, children are more likely to succeed across all domains of development.

Recognizing Sensory Processing Difficulties

While every child develops at their own pace, persistent difficulties with sensory processing may indicate a need for professional evaluation. Warning signs include:

• Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory input
  
• Delays in reaching motor milestones
  
• Difficulty transitioning between activities
  
• Strong aversion to being touched, or craving excessive stimulation
  
• Sleep and feeding challenges
  
• Excessive physical restlessness or unusually low activity levels
  

If these patterns persist, consult a pediatric occupational therapist or developmental pediatrician.

How to Support Healthy Sensory Development

👀 Visual Stimulation

• Offer high-contrast toys and picture books.
  
• Hang mobiles above the crib or changing table.
  
• Use mirrors for facial expression exploration.
  

👂 Auditory Engagement

• Sing lullabies and read aloud daily.
  
• Expose your baby to a range of musical styles and natural sounds.
  
• Minimize background noise during play and feeding times.
  

✋ Tactile Exploration

• Provide textured toys, sensory balls, and fabric books.
  
• Encourage messy play with safe materials (e.g., water, sand, edible finger paints).
  
• Use gentle baby massage to promote bonding and body awareness.
  

👃 Taste and Smell Enrichment

• Introduce a variety of flavors and aromas from real foods.
  
• Avoid overly bland or repetitive diets.
  
• Talk about scents and tastes during mealtime.
  

🌀 Vestibular and Proprioceptive Input

• Encourage tummy time, crawling, climbing, and dancing.
  
• Use swings or rocking chairs to provide soothing movement.
  
• Offer pushing, pulling, and carrying activities with soft toys or safe objects.
  

Creating a Sensory-Rich Environment at Home

• Design a calm and organized play area with both active and quiet zones.
  
• Use natural lighting, soft textures, and reduce overstimulation from screens or clutter.
  
• Rotate toys and sensory materials to maintain curiosity and engagement.
  
• Establish predictable routines that include movement, exploration, music, and connection.
  

Cultural Perspectives on Sensory Development

Different cultures nurture sensory development in unique and meaningful ways:

• Scandinavian cultures emphasize outdoor play, nature-based textures, and physical freedom.
  
• Japanese caregiving values quiet sensory refinement through fine motor tasks and aesthetic beauty.
  
• In many African cultures, infants are carried on the caregiver’s back, offering constant vestibular input and security.
  
• Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches support sensory autonomy through structured, child-led exploration.
  

These diverse traditions remind us that there is no single “right” way, but a shared understanding of the importance of sensory engagement in early life.

Final Word

Sensory development is more than biology — it’s the language through which babies discover life. With the right stimulation, nurturing routines, and a responsive environment, every child can thrive emotionally, socially, and cognitively.

By understanding the power of early sensory experiences, parents become not just caregivers — but architects of the developing brain.

Scientific References

• Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. Brain Architecture
  
• Schaaf, R. C., & Mailloux, Z. (2015). Clinician’s Guide for Implementing Ayres Sensory Integration
  
• DeGangi, G. (2000). Pediatric Disorders of Regulation in Affect and Behavior
  
• Leong, V. Y., & Schilbach, L. (2020). “The Promise of Two-Brain Approaches for Social Interaction Research in Psychiatry.” JAMA Psychiatry, 77(3), 227–228.
  
• Greenspan, S. I., & Wieder, S. (2006). Engaging Autism
  
• World Health Organization. (2021). Nurturing Care Framework