THE SCIENCE

Backed by hundreds of studies, the importance of touch and human contact in the early childhood learning process is undeniable. The incorporation of touch in the Big Red Truck™ Learning Systems is foundational to the program, and a key differentiator from other educational systems. Key findings from various studies:

  • “Development delays are common in children deprived of normal sensory stimulation”
  • “Multiple studies confirm the importance of touch in human brain development”
  • “Affective touch develops a child’s sense of self”
  • “Positive developmental patterns enhanced through the sense of touch”
  • “Physical and emotional well-being supported through the integration of touch”

BELOW ARE A FEW OF THE RESEARCH PROJECTS

and studies that support the findings listed above

  • The Power of Touch” , Psychology Today, 2013
  • Enhancing Development Through the Sense of Touch” , Urban Child Institute, May 2012.
  • The Experience of Touch: Research Points to a Critical Role.” New York Times. February 1988.
  • Can a Mother’s Affection Prevent Anxiety in Adulthood?” CNN.com. July 2010.
  • Touch for Socioemotional and Physical Well-Being: A Review” Developmental Review , 2011.
  • The Sense of Touch and How It Affects Development”, Crystal Leonard, May 2009

SPEECH DELAYED AND AUTISTIC CHILDREN

One of the challenges when working with speech delayed and autistic children is an avoidance of touch and eye contact with others. Using the Big Red Truck™ Learning System, we are able to create environments that are fun for these children and encourage touch and eye contact is a way that isn’t perceived as threatening to the child. We’ve found that many times the child is so focused on the game and completing the tasks at hand that he/she sometimes forgets that he/she is touching and connecting with the adult! Emotional connections are made, and trust is built between the child and the adult. The trust that is formed can then be leveraged into other areas of therapy.

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