As humans, we rely on our senses to tell us everything. Babies come into the world with some familiarity with sensory experiences. They recognize the sound of their mothers’ voices. As they get a little older, they stick everything in their mouths. Through these senses, they make great discoveries.
Not everyone engages with sensory experiences in the same way, however. Some sensory issues can even get in the way of learning, particularly language. With this guide, you’ll understand the relationship between sensory experiences and language development, along with a few ways you can promote it with your children or students.
Importance of Sensory Integration in Speech and Language Development
In order to see how sensory integration affects speech and language development, you’ll need to dig a bit into sensory integration theory. This theory suggests that the ability of the brain to process information, to learn, is based fundamentally on the body’s ability to engage with sensory experiences.
Sensory experiences are broadly classified into three systems: proprioceptive, vestibular, and tactile. The brain needs to develop skills to strengthen these systems for the child to better understand and interact with the world. This is why speech-language pathologists often rely on sensory activities to help with language development.
Proprioceptive Learning Activities
Proprioception is the body’s ability to sense its own position and movement without visual input. You know how you can sit down in a chair that’s behind you without looking to see where it is? That’s proprioception. It can support helping children develop mouth movements necessary for speech.
Children who need development in this system often make big movements, like literally bouncing off the walls. Learning activities that help with proprioception might include doing push-ups on a chair, climbing on a playground, or scaling across monkey bars. Even asking for a child to carry groceries can help to build this skill.
Vestibular Skill-Building
The vestibular system affects a person’s ability to balance and stay focused. It is a key element of a child’s development of the physical movements necessary for speech. Think about a toddler just learning to walk. They walk slowly, balancing on each foot as they stabilize and continue moving.
A well-functioning vestibular system helps coordinate the muscles in the lips, throat, and tongue for clear speech, but sometimes it’s underdeveloped. Activities to encourage development of this system often relate to balance, such as standing on a balance ball or spinning in a circle and looking at the same fixed item with every rotation.
Tactile Experiences
The tactile system is one of the earliest learning systems in the body, but even so, it is often underdeveloped. Many children with sensory integration struggles have very specific preferences about touch, and tend to shy away from textures they do not like. Avoiding sensory experiences can hinder learning and development.
Tactile training can help children to develop reasonable reactions to sensory stimuli, which can lower their stress thresholds in a learning environment. For example, a parent might encourage a child to play with Play-Doh while having a lighthearted conversation about the day’s activities. Tactile experiences, such as learning how to use scissors or making slime, may help regulate overall stress and promote resilience.
Sensory Tips to Promote Speech and Language Learning
Incorporating sensory experiences into the learning environment can be wonderfully beneficial, but it requires care. Children with sensory integration disorders can be easily overwhelmed by excessive sensory inputs. To ensure that the experience achieves the goal, consider the following:
- Choose a time when the child is generally calm and happy.
- Limit sensory inputs to those being practiced.
- Lower noise and lighting to minimize overstimulation.
- Add tools like weighted blankets or fidget toys to increase focus.
School professionals should consider incorporating sensory experiences into the IEP platform, so that more students have access to these helpful opportunities.
Helping children develop language often starts with work on their other senses. The right types of sensory experiences can assist children in developing critical skills, including verbal communication with those around them.
Resources reviewed
https://www.asha.org/siteassets/uploadedFiles/EBSR-Sensory-Based-
Interventions.pdfhttps://www.darlingpediatrictherapy.com/post/why-sensory-integration-is-important-for-speech-therapy
https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/the-tactile-system/
https://occupationaltherapy.com.au/proprioception/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/vestibular-system
https://growinghealthyseasons.com/working-together-the-vestibular-system-and-early-language-development/
