from birth to 6 months
This week we are looking into Baby Sensory at home, new parents are expected to deal with so much while we are still restricted in different stages of lockdown, the mummy & baby groups have been cancelled, leaving parents to try to create your own Baby Sensory experience, the good news is, this is easily achievable while at home.
Little ones don’t need extravagant play times set up for them. Absolutely everything is something to explore and wonder at when experiencing it for the first time! From toes in the grass to splashing in the water, babies find out about their brand new world around them using all of their senses, sometimes all at the same time!
Your Baby’s senses are:
Toys with different textures or vibration may be good for your baby’s first toys
Touch. This is the very first sense to form, with development starting at around 8 weeks. The sense of touch initially begins with sensory receptor development in the face, mostly on the lips and nose.
This will be used more when they start to wean or start to explore outside, smelling flowers is always a good way to start.
This would come when you start weaning your little one.
Babies may start to react to black & white patterns to start with. Then reflective surfaces, toys with mirrors or multi coloured foils may cause a reaction.
As a baby’s senses become more refined, their unique preferences and responses begin to reveal themselves, and their personalities begin to shine.
To start with your baby may follow your voice while you are talking or singing to them, then small hand toys with bells/ or crinkly sounds are good.
Research shows that sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks. Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills, and social interaction.
Baby stages
Everyday activities such as nappy changing and feeding are great opportunities to develop your baby’s sense of touch, smell, hearing, sight and taste.
Here are 5 top sensory activities for your Newborn:
Face to face time
They enjoy looking at open eyes and smiling faces. So take that time to look at your baby, smile at your baby. Make funny faces and noises. Be creative and follow your little one’s cues to what they enjoy.
Tummy Time
This is an important activity for your baby. It helps to build coordination and strengthens your baby’s neck, shoulders, arms and trunk. These muscles help with the motor skills such as rolling over, crawling, pulling themselves and sitting up.
Singing to your newborn
Everything goes here. Whether these include nursery rhymes or songs that you make up on the go. Whether you include them while you are cuddling, walking, changing their diaper or giving them a bath. Singing can be used to soothe, entertain and create that special bond
Lay on their back
By laying them down on their back they will have the opportunity to explore their hands and feet. This helps with eye-hand and eye-foot coordination. You can encourage their interest by playing games with their arms and feet.
For example:playing ‘this little piggy’ and counting their toes.
For hands, you can sing a finger song such as ‘Tommy Thumb’ and massage each finger as you sing.
Use your daily exercise to take your little one for a walk
We understand there are still restrictions in place, when possible walking is a great activity that has many benefits for you and your baby. Both of you will get the much needed Vitamin D. You get exercise. Your baby will get an opportunity to stimulate their other senses by seeing, hearing and feeling the wind on their face.
Let us know if you have any newborn sensory tips or tricks. If you are still struggling, check out some sensory boxes you can order with:
Look out next week for Baby Sensory from 6 months.
If you like the sound of this blog, look out for our next post, which delves into Baby Sensory from 6 months onwards. If you cannot wait for the next one to be published, you can always catch up on our other posts by visiting Obaby Blog
Warm Grey Range
White Collection
Stamford Warm Grey
Stamford White
Nika Collection
Maya Collection
Cot Beds
Cots
Beds
Cot Top Changers
Changing Units
Nursery Chairs
Cribs
Chests of Drawers
Toy Storage
Wardrobes
Shelves
Bookcases