Infant Play
Play is essential during a child’s development, especially during the infant stage. During this stage, babies engage in sensorimotor play, exploring new parts of the world using their senses (e.g., mouthing or touching items) (Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, n.d.; Barton Lab, n.d.).
Benefits of Play for Infants
There are various factors to consider when the baby engages in sensory-motor play. Some benefits of playing with your infant include:
Increases relationship and connection when bonding with parents or other caregivers during back-and-forth interactions (e.g., singing songs, cooing, and smiling with the baby)
Increases learning and understanding of different sounds, feelings, and textures when engaging in repetitive movements or cause-and-effect activities
Increases different sensory input
Promotes independence
(Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, n.d., Barton Lab, n.d.)
Activities for Infant Play
Each baby has a different developmental level based on their chronological age and whether they need internal or external motivations (Beck, 2022; Murray, 2020). Here are various games and activities parents can help increase their baby’s play.
0-3 Months
Tummy time: Laying on both parents’ chest and play mat helps increase body strength against gravity and stimulate sensory input (e.g., proprioception and vestibular).
Gently moving their feet: Helps promote proprioceptive input as it helps them learn about body movement.
Implementing facial expressions: This helps stimulate the baby’s visual input as they recognize different emotions, such as happy, sad, and mad.
Singing and talking to the baby: Increases baby's auditory input as they learn and understand languages.
Colorful toys: Helps increase visual input by stimulating their attention and focus on an object.
(Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority, 2019; Beck, 2022; Child Development Institute, n.d.)
4-9months
Mirror: This stimulates their visual input and helps them learn about body awareness, facial expressions, and social interaction.
Eye-hand coordination: This helps engage the baby in exploring items by reaching and grasping with both hands.
Play outside: This helps stimulate sensory input when interacting and engaging nature (e.g., auditory, tactile interoception, olfactory, and visual).
Toys that are noise makers or shakers: Helps increase their auditory and proprioceptive input.
(Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority, 2019; Beck, 2022; Child Development Institute, n.d.)
10-12 Months
Water play: This increases their interoception input of feeling warm or cold water
Obstacle course: Helps them engage in different movements that enhance their body awareness.
Palm-sized crayons: Increases their fine motor skills and visual perception when coloring/drawing.
Sorting games: Helps build their cognitive skills of problem-solving, organizing, and sequencing patterns.
Music: Playing or listening to music can stimulate auditory input and help increase their language skills.
(Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority, 2019; Beck, 2022; Child Development Institute, n.d.)
Are you interested in learning more about play-based activities? Check out many of our BLOGS about sensory activities for your child!
References
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. (n.d.). Play developmental milestones. Ann & Robert H. Laurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/pediatric-occupational-therapy/developmental-milestones/play-developmental-milestones/
Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2019). Babies and outdoor play. ACECQA. https://www.acecqa.gov.au/media/27291#:~:text=Outdoor experiences can provide an,for all children, including babies.
Barton Lab. (n.d.). A practical guide to understanding sensori-motor play in young children. Vanderbilt University. https://cdn.vanderbilt.edu/vu-web/lab-wpcontent/sites/96/2020/02/07132823/PTL-Sensorimotor-play.pdf
Beck, C. (2022). Baby play ideas to help little ones develop. The OT Toolbox. https://www.theottoolbox.com/baby-play/
Murray, C. (2020). Motor skills for success part 1: Exercises for your infant or toddler. St. David’s Center for Child and Family Development. https://www.stdavidscenter.org/article/motor-skills-for-success-part-1-exercises-for-your-infant-or-toddler/