Sensory motor skills are the way through which a child begins to interact with and perceive the world around them as they grow and learn. Sensory exploration stimulates the brain and aids in the development of other key functions. Motor skills allow a child to make use of his or her senses. Both need in order to develop together in order to progress both mentally and physically.
A child’s ability to collect and process information from the world around them begins with sensory motor skills. Sensations such as movement, touch, and gravity allow them to develop trunk stability and posture, which leads to gross and fine motor skill development. Sensory information from a child’s muscles and joints allow them to develop full body awareness, allowing for better physical control and navigation. Sensory skills develop through visual, olfactory, auditory, proprioception, vestibular and tactile experiences, and all of these work together to contribute to a child’s ability to process information.