The baby's development of touch

The First Sense to Develop During the Fetal Stage: Touch 🤲

Touch is one of the first senses to develop in babies, beginning during fetal life. Even before birth, tactile receptors allow the fetus to start perceiving its environment and contribute to early sensory development.

At birth, touch plays an essential role in a baby’s first discoveries. Physical contact, cuddles, and skin-to-skin contact with parents help babies explore sensations and establish their first points of reference. This is why skin-to-skin contact is especially valuable from the very first moments of life.

From Touch to Fine Motor Skills

The development of touch gradually goes hand in hand with the development of fine motor skills—the ability to precisely control the movements of the hands and fingers.

During the first few months, babies naturally explore their surroundings with their hands: they grasp, bring objects to their mouths, hold, let go, and start again. Little by little, their movements become more precise and their hand-eye coordination develops.

As they grow, activities involving manipulation—pulling, grabbing, stacking, assembling, turning, or drawing—help children develop their dexterity and progressively improve precision, coordination, and concentration.

Crochet: A Texture to Explore

At MYUM, we pay particular attention to sensory development in little ones.

VEGGY TOYS offer a unique tactile experience thanks to crochet, our traditional artisanal technique. The interwoven yarn creates a naturally structured and slightly textured surface that invites babies to touch, grasp, and explore.

Discover our craftsmanship and learn more about crochet.

Our VEGGY TOYS rattles are therefore perfect little companions for encouraging sensory exploration. Their fruit and vegetable shapes invite babies to grab, manipulate, and gradually discover different sensations.

Two Textures for an Even Richer Experience

Our loveys take this experience one step further by combining two complementary textures.

On one side, crochet—compact and textured—offers a structured and surprising sensation beneath tiny fingers. On the other, cotton gauze, soft and fluid, provides a light and comforting feel.

Soft is wonderful. Soft combined with texture is even better!

This combination of materials allows babies to experience a variety of tactile sensations with the same object.

Pull, Discover, Repeat!

As children’s movements become more precise, pulling toys naturally become part of their play.

Our music boxes and soothing toys are designed to encourage manipulation, tactile exploration, and hand coordination.

Inspired in part by principles of the Montessori approach, these toys are designed for children from 12 months onwards, when intentional movements become increasingly precise.

The child pulls the little cord… and something happens: a vibration or a melody.

The child gradually discovers a simple connection between their action and the result it produces. By repeating the movement, they practice their fine motor skills, coordination, and ability to concentrate.

Fruits, Vegetables… and Even Little Creatures! 🐝🥝🎵

MYUM offers a variety of soothing toys, including the bee, ladybug, and kiwi, which vibrate when activated.

Our music boxes come in the shapes of strawberries, lemons, apples, or fish, accompanying babies with a gentle melody.

Toys to Grow, Discover & Explore 🌱

From the earliest days and throughout every stage of development, MYUM creates Nature-inspired toys that encourage children to touch, manipulate, pull, listen, and explore.

Because play is also a way of learning: every repeated movement helps children better understand their environment, refine their coordination, and gradually develop their dexterity.

At MYUM, we want to create toys that accompany these discoveries with poetry, curiosity, and plenty of softness. ❤️

To learn more about the development of touch in babies and toddlers, explore the resources from Naître et grandir.