The early months of a baby's life are all about exploration and discovery. As parents, you have a prime opportunity to nurture your newborn's development through play. In this guide, we'll explore simple DIY activities using household items for sensory play for infants. We loved our Lovevery subscription especially in the early months, but sometimes our LO was more interested in a spoon or an Advil bottle than one of the toys!
Introduction to Sensory Activities for Newborns (0-6 Months):
The world is an exciting and multisensory place for newborns - literally everything is a new experience for them at this age. Introducing sensory play at this stage not only engages their senses but also lays the foundation for cognitive and motor skill development. Sensory play involves activities that stimulate one or more of the five senses – touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. Let them explore, but always keep a close eye on them while they play and make sure they don't put anything in their mouths that they shouldn't be!
DIY Sensory Toys Using Household Items:
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Sensory Bags:
- Create sensory bags using zip-lock bags (ones with the slider work better than just the regular seals!) and fill them with different textures like liquid soap, lotion, coins, rice, or dried beans. Babies can explore these textures by squishing the bags with their tiny fingers.
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Soft Fabric Scraps:
- Cut up some old clothes and towels into small 2x2 squares, and let your baby feel the different materials, fostering a sense of touch and enhancing fine motor skills.
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High-Contrast Visual Stimulation:
- Hang black and white patterned cards or images within your baby's view. High-contrast visuals are captivating for newborns and support early visual development.
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Gentle Sound Makers:
- Craft soft rattles using everyday items. The gentle sound produced enhances auditory senses. We like filling emptied and cleaned pill bottles with rice or beans because the security caps guarantee no spillage and they're perfectly sized shakers for newborns!
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Large Shiny Objects:
- Babies love looking at and touching shiny things. Let them explore different shapes, like a smooth serving spoon or a small metal cup (as long as they don't have sharp edges or poky parts).
Benefits of Sensory Play for Early Development:
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Stimulates Neural Pathways:
- Sensory play engages various neural pathways, contributing to the development of a baby's brain. The more sensory experiences, the more neurons are activated.
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Enhances Motor Skills:
- Exploring different textures and objects promotes the development of fine and gross motor skills as babies grasp, squeeze, and move objects.
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Encourages Cognitive Development:
- Sensory play introduces infants to cause and effect, helping them understand the consequences of their actions. This early cognitive development is crucial for future learning.
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Fosters Bonding:
- Engaging in sensory activities provides a wonderful opportunity for bonding between parents and their newborns. It's a time of shared discovery and joy.
These are great ways to engage your baby in tummy time: put on non-restricting comfy play clothes (like the Porpoise elastic-free baby yoga pants), slowly roll them onto the belly as they're ready, and put some items in their line of sight to reach for.
Create a safe, stimulating environment using these simple DIY sensory toys, and watch as your baby's eyes light up with curiosity. Your baby is a tiny discoverer, and through sensory play, you are their guide to a world filled with endless possibilities. It's true what they say: the day is long but the years are short! Relish the joy of witnessing their first sensory experiences in these first few weeks that will pass in a blink.