LEVEL ONE (PRIMARY SENSORY SYSTEMS)
By the age of two months, the infant is already busily integrating sensory information, thus establishing the foundation for all future learning. While all senses are operating, the primary “teachers” are skin (tactile), gravity and movement (vestibular), and muscles, joints and ligaments (proprioception).
TOUCH stimulation feels good on his skin and around his mouth. He enjoys being held and rocked. A strong feeling of attachment develops as a result of this sensory connection between mother and child.
The baby receives information about movement through his VESTIBULAR and PROPRIOCEPTIVE senses. With his budding visual sense, he anticipates and imitates his mother’s facial expressions. He begins to regulate his movements, including his eye movements. He can see motionless objects nearby, as well as people moving around him.
VESTIBULAR and PROPRIOCEPTIVE senses also affect his posture and muscle tone so that his responses are automatic and appropriate. He tries new movements and, after some effort, succeeds. Moving in response to the environment is effective. THE MORE HE MOVES, THE MORE CONFIDENT HE BECOMES.
VESTIBULAR sensations about gravity, coming through his inner ear and muscles and joints, give him gravitational security. He learns that he is connected to the earth. He feels safe