Resources
Central Nervous System
A child’s brain relies on sensory input—touch, movement, sight, sound, taste, and smell—to grow and develop. Early experiences stimulate the nervous system, forming the foundation for learning, behavior, and coordination. The more frequent and varied a child’s sensory experiences are, the stronger their brain connections become.
Like a sturdy foundation supports a building, well-developed sensory systems support higher-level skills such as attention, self-regulation, and academic success. When this base is weak or underdeveloped, it can affect all areas of growth built on top of it.
Sensory Systems
A child’s ability to learn and function begins with three core sensory systems. Together, these three sensory systems form the foundation of a child’s ability to interact with the world.
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Tactile System (Touch)
Found in the skin, this system protects us from harm and helps us understand texture, shape, and location. Kids learn a great deal through hands-on exploration. -
Vestibular System (Movement & Balance)
Located in the inner ear, it helps the brain sense motion, balance, and spatial position. It also supports posture, coordination, and visual focus. -
Proprioceptive System (Body Awareness)
Located in muscles and joints, it tells us where our body parts are and how they're moving. It helps with force, timing, and self-regulation. -
Visual System (Sight)
Helps children recognize patterns, positions, and spatial relationships—key for developing skills in reading, writing, and math. It supports visual memory and learning from a very early age. -
Auditory System (Hearing)
Processes sounds, speech, and rhythms. From the womb onward, it supports language development, listening skills, and reading by helping children detect sound patterns and sequences.
Sensory Motor Development
This level builds on the brain’s ability to process sensory input and turn it into purposeful movement. It includes foundational body awareness, postural control, motor planning, and reflex integration—all essential for feeling secure and confident in movement.
When children develop strong sensory motor skills, they can better control their bodies, focus attention, and interact with their environment. These abilities create the physical and neurological stability needed for more complex learning and behavior.
Without these underlying motor skills, children may struggle with coordination, attention, and basic daily tasks.
Perceptual Motor Development
At this level, children begin to refine the connection between what they sense and how they respond. Skills like eye-hand coordination, visual perception, and balance depend on well-integrated sensory and motor systems.
Perceptual motor development supports focused attention, organized thinking, and purposeful movement. It helps children interpret and respond to their surroundings with accuracy and control—skills that are crucial for classroom learning, handwriting, and participation in play.
When perceptual motor foundations are weak, higher-level thinking and academic tasks often become more difficult.
Cognition
Cognition represents the top of the pyramid—where all underlying skills come together to support learning, behavior, and independence. It includes attention, problem-solving, academic skills, and the ability to plan and complete everyday tasks.
These abilities are only fully developed when the brain has a strong base of sensory and motor experiences. Cognitive growth doesn't happen in isolation—it’s built on the steady progression through every lower level of the pyramid.
When earlier stages are underdeveloped, cognitive skills can be delayed, even in children who appear bright or capable.
