Sensory Play Activities
From birth, your little one is a natural explorer! Using their senses to make sense of the new world around them. This is what makes sensory play so important. It helps engage them in activities that will heighten their senses and enhance their learning. Sensory play has all sorts of benefits including helping with your little one’s language development, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills as well as their social interaction.
But what are sensory play activities?
From exploring the outside world to using household materials and sensory toys, there is endless amounts of sensory activities your little one can do. Here at Ziggle we have put together our top 3 favourite sensory play activities your little one can do. Don’t forget to shop our new range of Belo + Me sensory toys
“High contrast black-and-white or bold colourful images are the most popular “toy” when it comes to newborns. They stimulate the development of baby’s optic nerves. When baby focuses on such visual stimuli it trains their vision, teaching the eye muscles and brain to coordinate and function properly.
During tummy time show baby a high contrast card in their line of vision, and slowly move it upward to see if their head moves up. This will strengthen neck and back muscles which is a precursor to eventually sitting, and in time, way into the future, for writing.
Make sure to place baby on a play gym or mat so they are comfortable and safe, you could also roll up a cellular blanket or muslin to place under baby during tummy time to strengthen those muscles even more.”
“What a fab way to develop your kiddos concentration, gross and fine motor skills than the stacking and re-stacking of cups (and be prepared to do it a LOT!)
For babies about 6 months place the cups around baby (if you need to, place a cup in baby’s hand) in no particular order for them to reach out and explore with their little fingers. Watch how they start to pass the cup from hand to hand, they will also drop a bigger cup in preference for a hold of a smaller one that they can grasp their little hands and fingers around easily.
A great activity for the older babies is to build and demolish their towers, stack the cups up, let them grab a favourite toy and watch the tower tumble as the toy knocks it all down; “silly teddy, we’re ready to start all over again” (and again, and again, and again).”
The stacking cups can also be used for water play! Your little one will love watching the water flow through from cup to cup. For older babies, try adding foam or bubbles that they can scoop up with the cup.
Another great water play activity is floating flowers. Add some fresh flowers into some water and watch your little one as they try and catch them using kitchen utensils. To make it even more vibrant, try adding some food colouring to the water.
What are your favourite sensory play activities? Head over to our Instagram and let us know!
Love, Team Ziggle x