You can help, too! Promote sensory development with a few tips:

Babies

Over-stimulation

Imagine being in a traffic jam. You have a pounding headache, and you're surrounded by thumping rap music, horns and the squeal of brakes. Now add in the glare of the sun glinting off the car in front of you, and you've got sensory overload. This is how your baby feels when over-stimulated. Too many loud noises or too much visual stimulation can make his poor little brain reel.

Sights and Sounds

Your baby loves the sound of your voice, and some studies even indicate that he recognizes your voice at birth! Try to use a calm, reassuring tone with him. Avoid abrupt, loud noises. Sing to him. Even if you don't have the pipes for American Idol, your baby will love it.

There are toys on the market that are designed for infant visual stimulation. Several years ago, researchers found that infants had a far easier time discerning black, white and red colors. Now, there are mobiles and playmates in these colors that can help baby with his visual development.

Mirrors are also great for visual stimulation. Non-breakable crib mirrors are available, and some even have soothing music and blinking lights.

Touch

Some babies like to be touched more than others. Let your baby stretch out on a blanket on the floor. Strip his clothes off him and let him get some air. Some gentle infant massage can help stress relief, too. Again, avoid over-stimulation. Passing him around from one cousin to another all evening can cause him to overload.

There are lots of toys on the market that promote sensory development for infants through touch. Soft toys with varying surfaces can be held, stroked and chewed on.

Babies like to put everything in their mouths for a reason...they find sensory clues with one of their most sensitive organs - their tongues. Of course, keep an eye on what they're sticking in their mouths. Figuring out the texture of the daily newspaper by licking it is never a good idea!

Toddlers and Preschoolers

Music and Movement

Toddlers are suckers for a good song, and teaching them simple songs, especially with accompanying movements, is a great way to promote sensory development. Two-year-olds and even slightly younger children begin to learn pitch during this time. The ability to hear and reproduce specific sounds (words, rhymes and pitch) is enhanced when you sing Itsy, Bitsy Spider.

Smells

Mmmmm...are those cookies I smell? Wait! What's that smell coming from the den? Daddy must be peeling an orange. Help your child develop his olfactory system by pointing out everyday smells. Play guessing games. Go for a walk through the neighborhood to find some interesting smells.

Touch and Texture

Toddlers and Preschoolers love to get their hands dirty. Let them dig into lots of different textures, and be creative. There's the old standby: sand (both wet and dry). But try sifting through some other substances: cornmeal, oatmeal, pasta, gravel. Get out the Tupperware containers and let them mold, pour and shape.

What is it?

Take turns blindfolding each other and handing the blindfolded person an object to smell, taste, or touch. He has to identify it without peeking! This game can be played for hours, and hours...and hours on a rainy day.

Where are we?

Another fun game to play with little kids. Blindfold them, then pick them up and sit them down on a different surface. Hmmmm....scratchy, sweet, grassy. Must be in the backyard. Cold, smooth, hard surface. The tile in the bathroom? The carpet in Mom's bedroom definitely smells different that the carpet in teenage brother's room!

Help your child make the most of exploring the world around him. As you encourage active play and exploration, he'll be developing sensory skills.