Raising a child is serious and challenging work. Setting proper foundations will help the child to grow into a healthy, smart, affectionate and strong person. Even if you're expecting a baby or have a newborn, it's never too early to start thinking about their further development. At certain age the baby will start reaching milestones such as raising their head, sitting, walking, talking, showing emotions, touching and throwing things. To improve the child's development, it's essential to play sensory plays with them. The best way to do that is to invest in sensory balls; these toys are known to stimulate the child's senses, as well as improve their motoric, but also cognitive, memory, social and language skills.
What is Sensory Play?
Sensory play is any play that stimulates the baby's senses such as hearing, touch, smell, taste, eyesight and balance. There are various examples of sensory plays such as peekaboo that encourages the child to focus their eyesight on the person or object that is hiding. As the child grows, these plays will vary. The child should be encouraged to touch and explore multi-textured toys; these usually come in the form of teethers or balls, so they will get to learn about them through their hands and mouth.
As the child grows allow them to play with ground and sand; it will give them experience with nature. It'll also improve their hand-eye coordination. Include toys that have different smells such as play dough, food or flowers. These activities will help the child learn about the world around them while improving their cognitive and physical development.
Sensory Play and Developmental Milestones
3 Months
A three-month-old baby should be encouraged to stretch their arms and legs. At this age, the child can raise their head and shoulders 45-90 degrees when lying on their stomach. You can support their upper body with their forearms. Also, to make a challenge add a little weight on their legs and push down their feet when they are held in a standing position. You can invest in shake toys and allow the child to follow the toy 180 degrees with their eyes. It's perfectly all right to start making sounds like 'coo', 'ooh' or 'ah'. Even though the child is young, they will start imitating sounds and facial expressions, as well as smile at the sound of the parent's voice.
6 Months
By this time the child can hold their head steady and can lift their chest and part of their stomach, by bearing weight on their hands. The child is now able to roll over in both directions and can sit with their straight back. At this age, they can grasp and study small objects and show curiosity about the world around them. If there are things within the reach, they will reach for them. This is a perfect time to get sensory balls. Usually, they are made of soft fabrics and have different textures that will keep the child's interest. They will observe and touch the ball, and they surely will place it in their mouth. Most babies are teething at this time, so a sensory ball can work its magic on their swollen gums.
12 Months
By the time the child is one year old, they can stand alone and make their first steps. They even walk if they hold someone's hand. At this age, the child can sit down from standing and use their hands and fingers to eat food. They are now exploring objects by banging, shaking, dropping or throwing them. If you give them a book, they will be able to turn the pages and recognize some pictures. Simple words such as 'mama', 'dada' can be spoken and more often than not, the child will imitate words you say. A one-year-old is now capable to show affection and fear.
Benefits of Sensory Play for Babies
Supports Early Childhood Development
Sensory play with suitable sensory toys will help brain development. It can support language development, fine and gross motor skills, cognitive growth, problem-solving skills and social interaction. Through sensory play, children are learning about the world around them. If you or another child is playing the sensory play with them, they will observe your movements and will learn how to communicate and imitate your movements. This is a great way to learn social interaction and cognitive growth, as well as better communication and language skills.
Enhanced Memory
Sensory play is crucial for the child's development. Memory is one of the very important skills. It takes lots of practice, but when the child interacts with various textures, materials, smells and tastes, they will learn better and faster.
Sensory Play Will Calm the Child
Children and babies can easily be overstimulated which results in crying or yelling. Sensory games are calm and soothing and will not overstimulate the child. At times, such plays can even help the kid get sleepy. This can be a great activity for the kid before bed; it will calm any agitation or anxiety, and they will fall asleep much quicker.
The Child Can Learn Sensory Attributes
Whenever the child touches something wet, cold, sticky or of different texture, they build upon their previous understandings of which objects have these features. Sensory play is a wonderful way to help the kid learn something. The child's brain will learn to recognize and sort different things and sensations. Such plays are an ideal tool to teach your child to verbalize their feelings and learn the opposites. For instance, the child can learn that the opposite of wet is dry, cold and warm. Don't be surprised when the child expresses that they don't like cold or wet things and show more affection for dry and soft objects and toys.
