Introduction to the Senses

The 8 Sensory Systems

Visual (sight)

Sight is processed through the ‘Visual’ sense. Visual sensory stimuli is ‘picked up’ through visual receptors located in the eye and are stimulated by light, colour and movement.

Some children are especially tuned in to visual details, while others may need more vibrant or moving visuals to stay engaged.

Auditory (sound)

Sound is processed through the ‘Auditory’ sense. Auditory receptors located in the inner ear, identify loud, soft, high, low near and far noises in the environment.

Some children may be particularly responsive to sounds, while others benefit from louder or more varied auditory input to capture their attention.

Gustatory (taste)

Taste is processed through our ‘Gustatory’ senses. Gustatory sensors (taste buds) are located on our tongues and are linked to our olfactory senses (smell). Flavours like salty, sour, umami, bitter and sweet, are processed through our gustatory senses.

Sensitivity or enthusiasm for different flavours may vary, with some children enjoying subtle tastes and others seeking bolder flavours.

Tactile (touch)

Touch is processed through the ‘Tactile’ sense. Tactile receptors that ‘pick up’ the sensation of touch are all over our bodies in our skin. Some areas of our skin have more tactile senses than other areas e.g. mouth and hands. The tactile senses are important for identifying touch, pressure, pain, temperature and texture.

Some children are highly aware of textures and sensations, while others may need more tactile input to feel connected to their environment.

Olfactory (smell)

Smell is processed through ‘Olfactory’ sensors located in the nose. The olfactory senses can distinguish between a range of smells including pungent, flowery, putrid and musty.

Some children have a strong sense of smell, while others may explore more complex scents to engage with their surroundings.

Interoception (internal feelings and signals)

Interoception is an internal sensory system that enables children to recognise and respond to their physical and emotional states, whether consciously or unconsciously. For instance, a child may notice their stomach rumbling and feel a pulling sensation in their tummy, which they recognise as a sign of hunger, prompting them to eat. These interoception skills are essential for a range of basic and more advanced functions, such as knowing when to use the bathroom or recognising when emotions like anger or frustration are building.

Awareness of internal sensations like hunger, thirst, or comfort varies, with some children being very in tune with these cues and others needing more external support.

Proprioception(body awareness)

The proprioceptive system, found in our muscles and joints, gives us a sense of body awareness and helps detect and regulate force and pressure. It plays a crucial role in sensory processing by helping manage our responses to sensory stimuli.

Children may either respond well to light touch or prefer stronger, deeper sensations that provide body awareness and a sense of comfort.

For children who are easily overwhelmed by sensory input, proprioceptive input can have a calming effect. For those who require more sensory stimulation to improve focus and learning, proprioceptive input can be stimulating and alerting.

Vestibular (movement)

The vestibular system is our movement system. The receptors are located in the inner ear and detect the speed and direction of movement and the pull of gravity.

Some children thrive with gentle movement, while others seek out more dynamic activities like spinning or jumping.