Learning is a complex, multifaceted process that begins from the moment you’re born. As children observe and interact with the world around them, they use their senses to process an overwhelming amount of incoming information. Hands-on experiences are particularly critical tools for child development and education, though many might not know why.

The Importance of Tactile Learning

What Is Tactile Learning?

Tactile learning is a hands-on approach to education that provides sensory enrichment and allows children to explore their surroundings through touch. The first stages of child development are characterized by active learning and exploration, as children love getting their hands on anything with an interesting color, shape, or texture. Popular activities for young children, such as finger painting and block building, are also based on touch.

Why Is Touch Important for Child Development?

Touch plays a significant role in the learning process from the beginning of a child’s life. In fact, their sense of touch develops before they’re even born. Tactile learning allows your child to develop physical, social, and cognitive skills that they will never stop using. Through touch, your child will be able to form bonds with loved ones and friends, take in information about sensations like temperature and texture, and feel the effects of gravity on an unsteady tower of blocks. Helping your child engage with their learning creates a strong foundation for future education.

How Can Tactile Learning Help Your Child Later in Life?

Tactile learning is just one type of sensory learning, alongside visual and auditory. Although some may prefer the latter two teaching styles, a study by Purdue University reveals that hands-on activities provide a much more comprehensive learning experience for students. By completing tasks themselves and engaging in interactive activities, children gain a deeper understanding of the concepts at hand. Early exposure to this method in preschools and childcare centers may help create more engaged learners and reduce the frustration that can stem from lecture-style lessons.

If you’re looking for an early childhood center where learning is at the forefront, contact Great Beginnings. With locations in St. Charles and Cottleville, MO, they provide a balanced curriculum of traditional and progressive teaching styles. Their licensed instructors focus on nurturing appropriate stages of child development, so you can be sure your little one will thrive. Call (636) 724-5048 to receive enrollment information from their St. Charles location, or (636) 447-4212 to speak to the Cottleville center. For more information about their programs, visit them online.