SENSORY DEPRIVATION IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Summary The importance of the role of intentional movement and active exploration in the development of a child's knowledge concerning his body, his movement and his surrounding is recognized. Senoristasis is defined and the concept applied to deprivation studies with animal and human subjects. It is suggested that the principle can be used to explain behavioural patterns found in two groups of children who may suffer from sensory deprivation; namely those who live in environments which provide insufficient stimulation and those who lack the necessary mobility to explore the environment in which they live. The importance in a young child's development of a rich sensory environment and opportunities for exploration are stressed.