Baby's First Year: How the Five Senses Develop

The first year of life is an exciting time for both the newborn and their parents. After birth, numerous impressions flood the new little earthling. Smells, loving first words, the sweet taste of breast milk – every baby is fully equipped with all five senses from birth. These senses develop a little more each day. One progress follows another. In this article, we summarize exactly how babies’ senses develop in the first 12 months and how parents can optimally support their little one.

Seeing: gradually discovering the world

When little ones come into the world, they initially perceive their environment only vaguely. This state lasts about three months. This is actually good because the multitude of new impressions would overwhelm babies. Color vision also still needs to develop. From the age of one month, babies can begin to distinguish color differences. Eye movements become more controlled, and the little ones can follow certain objects with their eyes. From the fourth month, a baby can gradually recognize their parents even from a spatial distance. Parents can support visual development by:

• Getting a mobile. These are recommended from the age of one month. This trains babies to follow movements with their eyes.
• Gentle head movements during communication. This helps strengthen the baby’s eye muscles.
• Mirrors. Although babies cannot yet recognize themselves, they will likely joyfully observe the unfamiliar baby.

Hearing: targeted training of the senses

Hearing ability is already relatively well developed in newborns. Babies immediately recognize their mother’s voice, as it is already very familiar from the womb. Nevertheless, the sense of hearing continues to develop. Spatial hearing and differentiating sounds still need to be trained. This supports babies’ hearing development:

• Regular talking and singing
• Radio; exposure to different music genres
• Everyday sounds (these are not disturbing to a baby but often even calming)

Smelling & Tasting: well developed from birth

The senses of smell and taste build on each other. The sense of smell is already quite well developed in newborns. They can distinguish unpleasant from pleasant smells. A baby can find its mother’s breast solely by scent. Babies can also distinguish tastes from birth. Sweet tastes are accepted; everything else is rejected. Scientists see this behavior as a protective mechanism to avoid swallowing unnoticed toxic substances.

Touch: the sense with the most needs

In the first three months, reflexive grasping still dominates. Even after that, it takes a while for babies to realize that their hands are part of themselves. Nevertheless, little ones enjoy every touch. Numerous scientists are convinced that a baby can only develop optimally if it is cared for with sufficient touch and love. Whether parents gently rock their baby in their arms, stroke their cheeks, or gently move them up and down in the bathtub – babies can never get enough of loving touches!

For further sensory development: howa motor skills cube

Especially when it comes to grasping, little ones still have a lot to learn. The senses are largely developed but must be constantly trained and used. It will take some time before babies learn to control their hands. In particular, gross and fine motor skills still need to develop. The best way to do this is through play. The family company howa is aware of this. Wooden motor skills cubes were developed to accompany toddlers playfully in the learning process. Motor skill loops, stacking cubes, gears, xylophones & co. invite playing, grasping, and discovering. Here you can find howa motor skill toys This trains dexterity, spatial perception, and motor skills.