Which sense system is the least developed at birth?

The sense system that is the least developed at birth is vision. Newborns have very limited visual acuity and can only see objects that are approximately 8 to 12 inches away, which is about the distance to a caregiver's face during feeding. Their color vision is also not fully developed, with a preference for high-contrast patterns and colors.

In contrast, other senses such as hearing, touch, and taste are more developed at birth. Infants can hear and respond to sounds, showing a preference for the rhythm and melody of speech, even in the womb. Touch is a well-developed sense at birth, as babies respond to tactile stimulation and benefit from skin-to-skin contact. Taste is developed to some extent, as newborns can differentiate between sweet and bitter tastes.

Overall, the visual system undergoes significant maturation in the months following birth, gradually improving in clarity and depth perception, making it the least developed sense at the time of birth.