Discovery through sensory experimentation: an innovation proposal for the 2nd cycle of Early Childhood Education

Abstract

This work develops an educational innovation proposal focused on sensory experimentation as a pathway for discovery learning in Early Childhood Education. Based on the observation that children are immersed in an increasingly digital world where audiovisual experiences predominate, the need to recover and enhance direct multisensory experiences that favor balanced development is identified. The "Awakening Our Senses" proposal structures eight sessions based on active exploration of natural elements from the environment, encouraging children to experiment through touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing. Methodologically, it is founded on guided discovery learning, where the teacher acts as a facilitator, creating environments rich in stimuli that invite autonomous exploration. Activities progress from experiences with specific elements of the natural environment towards more complex multisensory integrations, culminating in the creation of a sensory museum where children share their discoveries with the educational community. The evaluation demonstrates how this approach promotes not only perceptual development but also cognitive, communicative, and social capacities. It is concluded that direct sensory experimentation with natural elements constitutes an especially valuable methodology in Early Childhood Education, offering effective ways to counteract the growing digitalization of children's experiences and promote comprehensive development.