five senses: touch

As a first grade teacher, one of my favorite units of study was the five senses. I always introduced the unit by popping popcorn, because it engaged all five senses. We heard it pop, smelled the buttery goodness, saw the small cloud-like pieces, touched the warm light-weight morsels, and finally tasted the yummy popcorn flavor seasoned with butter and salt.

Now that I’m a mama, teaching the five senses is even more fun, because everything is brand new! The first sense that’s been important to Carson is that of touch. Immediately following his birth, the cold air felt quite different from the warm moist environment he’d always known. Touch is what made him feel safe in this great big world. While we were in the hospital, Keith and I both spent time skin-to-skin with our little bundle of joy, and what a special experience it was!

Touch has remained an important way for Carson to feel safe and learn about the world around him. Snuggling, hugging, and kissing are all ways we show love.

Bath time is a fun way we engage the sense of touch in a totally different way! Carson loves to feel the water on his skin.

When it snowed, Carson got to touch a completely new temperature and texture!

One day, Carson and I had fun experimenting with flour. What a fun (and messy!) new way of engaging his sense of touch!

As I mentioned in the last post, Carson loves playing with placemats. He enjoys rubbing their rough texture. Similar textures he enjoys are carpet and the upholstery on our furniture. More great “toys” that have a unique texture are a bath puff and bath glove. They feel kind of scratchy. Sometimes while I’m getting ready, Carson lies on our bed and plays with Daddy’s shorts. They feel nice and soft and smell like Daddy!

I look forward to continuing to explore the five senses with my baby boy!