When you reach to find and turn off your alarm clock while your eyes are closed or when you reach into your purse and find your house key, you are instinctively using the very important sense of stereognosis. What is it?

Stereognosis is the ability to identify the shape and form of a three-dimensional object using tactile manipulation without the use of visual and auditory stimuli.

Discriminative touch and proprioceptive information is received via the dorsal column of the medial lemniscus tract, which is a peripheral sensory pathway.

Astereognosis refers to the inability to perceive the form and identity of an object when physically manipulating it through active touch.

A great activity to do with your child to strengthen this skill is to take a pillowcase and place different objects such as a toy car, a block, a figurine and a ball inside. Call out an object and ask your child to retrieve it without looking.

If this is easy, make it more challenging by using objects that are more similar in shape or size. For example, you can use a triangular shaped block and a square shaped block. You can also place different shapes of pasta like macaroni, ziti, shells and spaghetti into a cloth bag and ask your child to find the shape you ask for.

These are fun activities and a great way to strengthen this important sense—stereognosis.

For more great tips, follow The Therapy Gym on Instagram and Facebook.

The Therapy Gym, owned by Dr. Elisheva Fuchs, is the leading pediatric therapy center in Bergen County. The Therapy Gym provides physical, occupational, speech, behavioral and aquatic therapy as well as many classes for kids. Only the best, most highly skilled and trained therapists work at the gym to help each child reach his or her potential. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s development, call The Therapy Gym at 201-357-0417 or email [email protected]. You can also follow The Therapy Gym on Instagram and Facebook to learn more tips.