Ever wondered what you could be doing for your littlest ones to help them discover the joys of movement? Here are some age appropriate play ideas for learning about moving and space and figuring out what their bodies can do.
Babies (0-12 months) need plenty of opportunities for unrestricted movement. Choose or create a safe environment that encourages exploring and the development of skills such as reaching, rolling, sitting up, crawling, pulling up, cruising and walking.
Play ideas to help movement
- Use Push-and-pull toys from about eight months. Your baby will try to “follow” or get closer to them and by moving them just a little out of reach each time, you’ll be encouraging them to stretch and push themselves forwards. These will still be a source of great interest when your baby starts to toddle, anywhere between 12-18 months.
- Soft balls, from around four months. Play rolling games with soft indoor balls. Try foam or fabric ones in medium sizes-not too large or too small. You can also use those that have a rattle or bell inside so that the sound attracts yout babies attention. Your baby will try to follow the ball as it rolls away. And will eagerly wait for it to roll towards them when you play a gentle games of catch (rolling it of course!)
- Ride-on toys, from around 12 months are a great way to motivate your little ones to get moving. They also help them to have a litte independence as they can move themselves-even if they are not yet walking.
- From around seven months, provide a safe environment for crawling and pulling up. Protect sharp edges with the appropriate guards and secure anything that might tip over when pulled on.
- Provide cause-and-effect toys (for example, a jack-in-the-box) from six months. Babies and small toddlers love to push buttons and twist dials and have the toy react in some way,either with sounds, lights or movement.
- As early as sitting towards 12 months, start heading out to the playground. babies and toddlers are inspired to move by seeing others dashing about and by interest in bits on the ground. Littel bits of leaves and twigs as well as stones and other interesting things on the ground appeal to their curiosity and inspire them to move.
- Encourage your baby to practise fine motor skills by putting small containers into larger containers. There are some ready made toys available (stacking toys) which are great but using clean empty food tubs can be just as fun.
- Get physical yourself! Turn yourself into a play gym, Spend some time each day by hopping down on the floor and playing with your baby.
- Sing songs that have simple actions – your baby will try to copy the actions. Music groups can help you achieve this if you don’t know any songs or if you are not confident. making up your own actions can also be great fun and make the songs personal to your family.
It is important to remember that all babies gain skills at their own pace. Playing together should be about having fun rather than trying to speed up developmental progress. Putting time into your interactions with your child will result in a happy baby..and isn’t that the point anyway?
I am a preschool and primary school teacher and mum to 3 children. I have been involved in education since 1997 and have trained in a variety of educational specialist areas. It is with this expertise that I write articles to help parents and educators provide quality learning experiences for the children in their care.
