Safe play in the home for babies and toddlers

Play is sometimes referred to as children’s ‘work’. It is through playing that children learn many of the vital skills necessary for their overall development. Children will play with anything, so it is important that their playthings are safe and age appropriate.
Often children will benefit far more from playing with natural materials than from bright plastic toys. Babies particularly, as they learn through their senses, so respond to many different textures. However be careful. Manufactured toys are designed with safety in mind, natural items at not and can be dangerous. For example, we would not recommend that a baby puts a fir cone in his mouth? Chains may trap little fingers, lavender bags may not be firmly stitched and the child could choke on escaping lavender etc. Ensure items are not small enough to choke on.

Activities for babies:

Treasure baskets. These are particularly beneficial for babies when they are able to sit up independently. Get a basket, and place different objects inside. Include a variety of textures e.g. a kitchen whisk, a wooden spoon, a rubber object, silk scarf, netting, fir cones, pumice stone, lavender bags, and small chains etc. Your baby will happily play for half an hour examining the different objects. Babies examine everything with their mouths first so check things are clean and safe. This type of play is excellent for their development of concepts.
interactive rhymes and songs. Songs like ‘Round and Round the Garden’, ‘Incy Wincy Spider’, ‘Wheels on the Bus’ and ‘Zoom, Zoom, Zoom’ encourage language and listening skills, as well as giving important one to one communication with your baby.
Baby massage. This is a wonderful activity to carry out with your baby, and is particular good for their physical and emotional development.
Playing with coloured, cooked pasta. Babies love this activity. Boil some pasta in coloured water until its soft. Allow to cool and let your baby play with it. It is a messy activity so the kitchen is probably the best place to play.

All of the above activities can be carried read more