During a child's developmental period, it is crucial to engage all sensory systems. This allows different senses to integrate with one another, forming a complete sensory system.
Early Childhood Development
The period between ages 0-6 is of vital importance for a child's development. In recent years, experts have suggested that this critical period may extend up to age 8. During what is known as the "early childhood development" phase, children, who are highly receptive to learning, experience rapid growth.
A child’s intelligence, perception, personality, social behaviors, and cognitive abilities are largely shaped during this period. The majority of brain development also takes place at this time. Considering the long-term effects on a child’s future, it becomes clear that this stage is essential for neurological, biological, and psychosocial development.
Research indicates that 50% of mental development up to age 17 occurs by age 4, another 30% occurs between ages 4 and 8, and 33% of academic success up to age 18 is linked to the education received during early childhood (Tekiner, 1996, p.10).
In other words, an individual’s personality, traits, and habits are shaped by experiences and behaviors learned in childhood. A child who does not receive adequate development during early childhood may face lasting negative effects in cognitive, emotional, and social areas.
From a neurological perspective, one of the most critical factors in development is touch and physical contact. Children who grow up without sufficient physical interaction may experience slowed or even halted neurological development. Connections in the brain that are not stimulated or used during this period weaken and eventually disappear.
A child's development is greatly influenced by the environment they grow up in and the type of education they receive until age six. The foundation for essential language skills, which are critical for social and academic success, is also laid during this period.
Before children begin to speak, the parts of their brain responsible for language development are actively forming. The process of breaking language into meaningful components occurs through interactions with adults. For this reason, the speech of parents and close family members plays a crucial role in a child’s developmental progress.
Children who spend more time within an educational system become more inquisitive, curious, entrepreneurial, healthy, active, and productive, ultimately achieving greater academic success. All of this is made possible by a high-quality early childhood development period.
Sensory Play
The significance of sensory play in early childhood can be examined from multiple perspectives:
- Sensory Perception Development: Sensory play helps children enhance their sensory perception. For example, their ability to recognize colors, textures, and smells improves through these activities.
- Motor Skill Development: Sensory play contributes to the development of motor skills. Fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and muscle control are particularly strengthened through these games.
- Language Development: Sensory play encourages language development. Children find opportunities to use language to describe their sensory experiences and share them with others.
- Learning and Exploration: Sensory activities allow children to explore their surroundings and learn. These experiences help them develop conceptual understanding.
- Emotional Development: Sensory play supports emotional growth. Through play, children explore emotional expressions and relationships.
Children who engage in sensory play during early childhood gain several important benefits:
- Sensory Awareness: Children become more familiar with their sensory experiences and develop a heightened ability to respond to their environment.
- Social Skills: Sensory play improves children’s ability to interact with others and collaborate.
- Interest in Learning: These activities increase children’s enthusiasm for learning and positively impact their educational process.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Sensory play enhances children’s ability to think critically and solve problems.
- Language Development: Children improve their language skills by using words to describe their sensory experiences.
What Is the "Early Childhood Development Support Program" with the Sensory Storytime Program at Ali Dede Academy Kidsnook Samsun Station, and What Are Its Benefits?
Sensory Storytime is inspired by constructivist education systems and alternative educational approaches such as Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf. It is a curriculum designed to foster a love for stories and storytelling in young children, enhance thinking and planning skills, promote entrepreneurship and motivation, and increase children’s interest in school and learning through its unique methods and techniques.
With correct implementation, the Sensory Storytime program increases success levels compared to traditional methods. The focus of this program is not solely on outcomes but rather on the learning process itself. Sensory Storytime employs a variety of learning methods and problem-solving approaches. The instructor’s role is to actively engage each child in their own learning journey. The program nurtures children's natural curiosity and encourages them to connect prior knowledge with new information through techniques such as symbolization, brainstorming, observation, discovery-based learning, and problem-solving.
The instructor prepares the necessary materials and environment for the program. When telling stories, they act as a guide, accompanying children in their imaginative worlds. During the play segment, they do not simply teach but rather create experiences for the children.
We use seven senses to make sense of the world, and many of the games in Sensory Storytime are designed to stimulate and develop these senses.
At Ali Dede Academy, the program is conducted by child development specialists and creative drama instructors, under the supervision of expert psychologists. The goal is to provide meaningful experiences for the child and collaborate with parents to support their developmental journey.
Many of the materials used in the program are easily accessible, allowing parents to continue these activities at home.
In today’s digital age, Sensory Storytime encourages children to put down their tablets and embrace the magic of storytelling. The program provides an interactive and sensory-based alternative that fosters a love for stories, enhancing the parent-child bond and strengthening communication.
Spc. Cl. Psy. Hande ŞAFAK ÇEPNİ
