More about our senses
Our senses give us information about the world around us, help us to make sense of it and tell us how to respond to it.
There are 5 external senses: touch, hearing, taste, vision and smell. They deal with sensations from the outside of our body.
Our internal senses
There are 3 more senses that deal with sensory information received from inside the body called the internal senses. These are vestibular, proprioception and interoception.
Our internal senses help us to:
- know how much pressure to use when writing or closing doors.
- know how hard to throw a ball.
- pour drinks without spilling them.
- step on and off curbs.
- tie apron strings behind our back or the top button of our shirt without looking.
- recognise when we are feeling hungry or need to empty our bladder.
Why do our senses matter?
Our senses:
- Inform us about what is happening in the world around us and tell us how to react to it.
- Guide our motor skills, behaviour and attention.
- Protect us from danger.
- Regulate our energy levels.
Last updated18 Sep 2024