Building Your Child’s Ability to Discern Differences Using Sight, Sound and Touch

By the time your child reaches the age of five she should have had ample opportunities to use her senses to help her understand the world around her. She should be able to listen to sounds that are nearly the same and detect the differences. She should be able to look at objects and pictures that are almost identical and be able to see slight differences. She should be able to identify objects that she cannot see by touching and feeling them and forming mental images of them. Concentrate on building these skills in your play activities and incidental teaching.

The results of this teaching may not become apparent until much later when your child is learning to read and do simple mathematics, but they will become apparent. Do not neglect the developmental opportunities provided by activities that develop the senses.