Get in touch
800.887.7902
info@yoeebaby.com
Play Tip: SENSORY PLAY TOUCH
Yoee Team • Oct 14, 2020
Make the Most of Playing Together
A baby’s earliest learning happens through their senses. Sensory play encourages baby to explore and investigate while building body awareness, motor skills, and helping form strong neural connections in the brain.
Use a silk scarf, a feather boa, or a soft toy to lightly caress baby’s face and body. Baby may find these interactions calming and soothing or they may become more alert as they track the object and delight in a new sensation. Young babies often respond to touch with a full body reflex. If you tickle one foot, both feet may start to move and baby may start to squirm in response. As babies develop, they increasingly gain muscular control and control over their reflexes, allowing them to respond with more targeted responses. Gentle massage is another way to engage their senses while making them feel safe and loved.
Tummy Time is time for exploration and play. Tummy time is important for baby’s visual, motor, and sensory development. It also helps develop muscles in the neck, back, and shoulders. Getting started is as easy as introducing your newborn to even a short session of Tummy Time (3-5 minutes) when they are alert and well-rested. Over time, this can easily be increased, since there’s really no limit to Tummy Time other than making sure that it’s only done while you and baby are alert and engaged. Make Tummy Time fun by using rattles (not too loud), toys, and mirrors to encourage reaching and visual tracking. Get down on the floor at baby’s eye level. Baby loves your face! Sing a song to calm and soothe if baby gets fussy. Don’t forget to give baby lots of words of encouragement and smiles!
Take a walk. Remember every single thing a baby sees is a new experience. Talk about the colors you see, the smells and noises you hear. A lawn mower, a dog barking or a squirrel in a tree are astounding to a baby. Stop and point them out. As baby gets older, simple things like picking up a leaf and letting baby hold (but not eat) it can make walks all the more interesting and engaging. When you are out walking, try also to put away your phone. Your undivided attention will help make you the greatest teacher and playmate your baby has ever known, because the truth is, you are.
