What is an infant's main learning tool in the first months after birth?

The mouth serves as an infant's main learning tool in the first months after birth because it is integral to a baby’s exploration of their environment. Infants rely heavily on oral exploration as a primary way to understand the world around them. Through sucking, mouthing, and biting objects, they gather sensory information that contributes to their cognitive and motor development.

This oral exploration not only helps infants learn about the texture, temperature, and taste of objects but also works to develop their oral motor skills, which are essential for feeding and later communication. Additionally, the act of mouthing is often associated with comfort and self-soothing, further underlining the mouth's significant role during this developmental stage.

While visual observation and listening play vital roles in an infant's learning and development, these senses are often supplemented and enhanced through the exploratory use of the mouth during these early months. Social interaction, too, is important for learning, but infants primarily engage with the world through mouth-based exploration at this early stage.