Generally speaking, spatial awareness is the recognition of the distance between objects. More specifically, though, the term refers to a person’s ability to judge where they are in relation to the objects around them. The term is commonly used in reference to stages of child development.
Briefly, the first stage of child development is commonly known as the sensori-motor stage. In this stage, small infants, for example, will recognize that they can manipulate an object using their hands and feet.
They will also recognize things according to what they smell or see. They can also work out (to a degree) cause-and-effect relationships, and understanding object permanence is a major benchmark during this stage.
The second stage is sometimes known as the pre-operational stage. In this stage, children are learning to identify specific groups of things like "animals” or "colors.” This is why (once they have formed words) they might call all women "mama.”
It is during this stage, that children begin to recognize their spatial awareness, that is to say their placement in relation to the things around them.
Encouraging the development of spatial awareness is very important, because it helps to work out things like distance, rate of speed, comparative side, and other things that are necessary for daily activities like driving.
Without spatial awareness, you would probably be clumsier, since you would have trouble analyzing how far down the next step on the stairs was, for example.
Obviously, proficiency in spatial awareness affects motor skills overall, and it is therefore extremely important.
Briefly, the first stage of child development is commonly known as the sensori-motor stage. In this stage, small infants, for example, will recognize that they can manipulate an object using their hands and feet.
They will also recognize things according to what they smell or see. They can also work out (to a degree) cause-and-effect relationships, and understanding object permanence is a major benchmark during this stage.
The second stage is sometimes known as the pre-operational stage. In this stage, children are learning to identify specific groups of things like "animals” or "colors.” This is why (once they have formed words) they might call all women "mama.”
It is during this stage, that children begin to recognize their spatial awareness, that is to say their placement in relation to the things around them.
Encouraging the development of spatial awareness is very important, because it helps to work out things like distance, rate of speed, comparative side, and other things that are necessary for daily activities like driving.
Without spatial awareness, you would probably be clumsier, since you would have trouble analyzing how far down the next step on the stairs was, for example.
Obviously, proficiency in spatial awareness affects motor skills overall, and it is therefore extremely important.
