The role of touch in memory

Do your lessons give your pupils enough opportunities to try things out by touch?

How are the body or touch and memory connected? Isn’t the brain essential for remembering?! Of course, but it is important to remember that the brain needs more than a balanced diet and quality sleep – it needs love, a feeling of acceptance and security around loved ones. And from the beginning of life, security is also linked to touch.

Touch is a prerequisite for feeling safe and wanting to learn

Touch, which gives a feeling of security, is a prerequisite for the desire to learn and remember.
Memory processes begin in the womb, and some experts believe that memorisation begins at birth. When a child is born, all sensory experiences are important for its development. Of all the senses, touch is the most important, as it is the first to develop in the womb.

The role of touch in human development is multifaceted

Touch influences sensory development. The skin is rich in sensory receptors that provide information about touch, pressure, temperature and pain. Through touch, babies learn about their surroundings and develop body awareness. Skin-to-skin contact has been shown to promote secure attachment, regulating bodily functions such as heart rate and breathing.

(https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2017/01/03/benefits-of-a-mothers-touch.html)

Touch also affects emotional regulation. Touch plays an important role in regulating emotions and promoting emotional well-being. Gentle touch releases oxytocin, often called the ‘love hormone’. Skin-to-skin contact is associated with reduced stress levels, improved sleep patterns and improved emotion regulation.

Touch enhances the development of motor skills. The skin plays a key role in the development of motor skills and coordination. Children explore their environment by grasping objects. Sensory experiences, such as touching different textures and surfaces, stimulate motor development and eye-hand coordination. Engaging in sensory-rich activities such as messy play and tactile exploration supports the development of fine and gross motor skills.

It also stimulates cognitive development. Babies and children learn about the properties of objects, such as size, shape and texture, through touch. Sensor-rich environments encourage curiosity, exploration and problem-solving skills, laying the foundations for later learning achievements.

Body awareness and self-regulation. Sensory input through the skin helps children develop body awareness, a sense of body position and a sense of movement in space. This awareness is essential for the development of motor skills, spatial reasoning and self-regulation. Sensory activities involving proprioceptive input, such as swinging, jumping and climbing, support the development of body awareness and coordination.
The integration of all the senses, including touch, can be achieved precisely by learning in contact with nature, through activities such as touching plants, hugging animals, walking barefoot, picking flowers, etc.
Let’s go into action!

Špela Potočnik, Social Academy

Resources:

  • Poljanec, 2015;
  • David J. Linden (2016) Touch. The science of the hand, heart and mind;

Špela Potočnik is a TRE instructor, social pedagogue and counsellor at Želimlje High School.