Sensory development and brain development go hand-in-hand. Making Sense of My World illustrates, through play and activities, this process in babies, birth to 12 months. Each of the five senses as well as a sense of balance consists of 1) a receptor organ with a system of nerve endings for receiving a specific physical stimulus, such as the eye for the sense of sight and the skin and deeper tissues for the sense of touch, and 2) a specific region of the brain for processing the nervous impulses received from that organ

In order for these sensory regions of the brain to develop properly, they must receive an ample and varied source of sensory stimulation while they are still in the process of developing. Otherwise the development of these parts of the brain will be impaired and the individual will never be able to use a given sense adequately, even if the receptor organs themselves are fully functional. For example, an infant born with cataracts can develop normal visual acuity if the cataracts are removed by the time the baby is five months old. The brain can re-adjust. Timing of the surgery is critical.

Sensory Integration is the process by which a child learns to use information from all of the senses for learning and growing, to develop a sense of self and the world around him. As most sensory and brain development takes place in the first three years of life, it is during this period that a sensory rich environment is essential for optimal development of all children.

Click here for a Sensory Observation Guide of behavioral indicators of good sensory integration that is paired with behavioral signs of concern for children from birth to three years old. http://www.hceip.org/Sensory_Observation_Guide.htm