Page 223 - Čotar Konrad Sonja, Borota Bogdana, Rutar Sonja, Drljić Karmen, Jelovčan Giuliana. Ur. 2022. Vzgoja in izobraževanje predšolskih otrok prvega starostnega obdobja. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem
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Sensory Integration as the Path
for Nurturing Toddlers’ Wellbeing
Sanja Tatalović Vorkapić
University of Rijeka
sanjatv@uniri.hr
Lana Osojnak
Kindergarten Kastav
lane1509@yahoo.com
Sensory development, activities, and stimuli are extremely important for tod-
dlers’ optimal growth and development. Sensory integration development is
one the fundamental neurobiological activities of toddlers that represents the
basis for learning and presents a very important and actual research field in
contemporary science and practice. At the same time, the early childhood ed-
ucators’ role and the sensory activities which are extremely important external
stimuli for the sensory integration development. Considering the very small
amount of scientific studies in this research field, especially research carried
out by early childhood educators working with toddlers in everyday regular
preschool class, this study was focused on testing the implemented sensory
activities and stimuli in everyday teaching. Based on that study aim, a compar-
ison was made between two toddler groups – the one that was exposed to all
mentioned stimuli and the one that was not, so that the wellbeing for children’s
development could be determined. Generally, it was determined that there are
significant differences between the control and experimental groups of chil-
dren due to the application of sensory tools and materials in the experimental
group of toddlers. Since there were no significant differences in all elements of
sensory development, just in some, the discussion was based on the optimal
conditions in nursery schools for the sensory integration for toddlers.
Keywords: toddlers, wellbeing, sensory integration, sensory activities and stim-
uli
Introduction
Although every child is born with the ability of sensory integration, the adults
included in the child’s development have the responsibility to ensure rel-
evant relations with various items from the environment so that the child
could learn how to adjust his own brain and body to the many challenges he
faces during childhood in order to successfully develop his sensory integra-
tion. During the first seven years ‘a child learns how to feel his own body and
Čotar Konrad, S., B. Borota, S. Rutar, K. Drljić in G. Jelovčan, ur. 2022. Vzgoja in izobraževanje
predšolskih otrok prvega starostnega obdobja. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem.
https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-134-6.223-243
for Nurturing Toddlers’ Wellbeing
Sanja Tatalović Vorkapić
University of Rijeka
sanjatv@uniri.hr
Lana Osojnak
Kindergarten Kastav
lane1509@yahoo.com
Sensory development, activities, and stimuli are extremely important for tod-
dlers’ optimal growth and development. Sensory integration development is
one the fundamental neurobiological activities of toddlers that represents the
basis for learning and presents a very important and actual research field in
contemporary science and practice. At the same time, the early childhood ed-
ucators’ role and the sensory activities which are extremely important external
stimuli for the sensory integration development. Considering the very small
amount of scientific studies in this research field, especially research carried
out by early childhood educators working with toddlers in everyday regular
preschool class, this study was focused on testing the implemented sensory
activities and stimuli in everyday teaching. Based on that study aim, a compar-
ison was made between two toddler groups – the one that was exposed to all
mentioned stimuli and the one that was not, so that the wellbeing for children’s
development could be determined. Generally, it was determined that there are
significant differences between the control and experimental groups of chil-
dren due to the application of sensory tools and materials in the experimental
group of toddlers. Since there were no significant differences in all elements of
sensory development, just in some, the discussion was based on the optimal
conditions in nursery schools for the sensory integration for toddlers.
Keywords: toddlers, wellbeing, sensory integration, sensory activities and stim-
uli
Introduction
Although every child is born with the ability of sensory integration, the adults
included in the child’s development have the responsibility to ensure rel-
evant relations with various items from the environment so that the child
could learn how to adjust his own brain and body to the many challenges he
faces during childhood in order to successfully develop his sensory integra-
tion. During the first seven years ‘a child learns how to feel his own body and
Čotar Konrad, S., B. Borota, S. Rutar, K. Drljić in G. Jelovčan, ur. 2022. Vzgoja in izobraževanje
predšolskih otrok prvega starostnega obdobja. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem.
https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-134-6.223-243
