spontaneous watermelon picnic with my boy!

five senses: taste

One of the newest senses we’ve explored is that of taste! For the first six months of his life, Carson only tasted breast milk, vitamin D drops, and mylicon! But this month, that’s all changed! He’s experienced several new tastes, and it’s been fun to watch.

We've seen a little of this:(

a little of this:)

as he's tasted butternut squash,

sweet potatoes (with a side of toes!),

carrots,

and peas!

Lots of MESSY fun!

five senses: see

Another fun sense to explore is seeing. I’m amazed at the concentration and focus such a little guy has as he explores his sense of sight and learns about the world around him!

For a while now, Carson’s sense of sight has drawn him to look at bright lights and contrasting colors. He follows things he sees with his eyes. We have lots of fun experimenting with his sense of sight by playing peek-a-boo. One of the newest ways we’ve played with his sense of sight is with bubbles. He lies on his back, I blow bubbles towards him; watching them seems to relax him. The very best part of his developing sense of sight is the way he responds to things he sees. When we smile at him he smiles back!

He uses his sense of sight when we read books. Because our extended family all live in different states and Carson doesn’t get to see them too often, I made him a book reminding him of how much his family loves him with a page featuring each grandparent and aunt so he can see their sweet faces with his own and be reminded of how much they all love him!

His sense of sight is encouraging him to move, too! When he’s on the floor and sees a toy in front of him, he wants to get it! The problem is, right now, he goes backwards when he’s trying to go forward. Poor buddy. This can be frustrating, but I know his sense of sight is what’s encouraging him to move and it will be the thing that motivates him to master forward crawling before I know it. My baby boy is growing up quickly!

five senses: hear

Another way Carson is learning about the world around him is through his sense of hearing. He began hearing our voices even before he was born, so once he was born they were another way of providing comfort and safety. Talking, singing, and reading to him not only calm him down, but they are also how he begins understanding language.

talking

singing

reading

In addition to our voices, Carson enjoys toys that make noise. He likes things that rattle, squeak, and jingle.

I drink ridiculous amounts of peach tea, so I toss 3-4 of these handy dandy cylindrical containers in the recycling bag every week. I knew there had to be some way to repurpose them, because, after all, cylinders are the coolest three-dimensional figure:), since they’re the only one that stacks, slides, and rolls! Finally, I had an idea; these would make fun rolling shakers for Carson! I filled one with rice and one with pasta for two unique sounds and secured the lids with packing tape.

Then, I found some cute scrapbooking paper, cut it to fit, wrapped the shaker in paper, and covered it with packing tape (to protect it from slobber, of course!).

Carson's having fun exploring his sense of hearing (and touching and seeing, too) with these free toys! I wonder what other trash can become a treasure around here?!

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!