This activity is one that we did at the Parenting Cottage and is good for the 4-6 month range. Infants at this age really start to explore with their mouth and hands. This is called a Pat Mat. Great activity for Tummy Time. Basically it's a ziploc bag filled with different objects and water. I just grabbed some blocks but bright colored toys and even glitter works well. You can double bag and tape top to keep water from leaking.Your child can explore with all their senses. Look with their eyes, feel with their hands, hear the water with their ears, and even pull to their mouth to explore. Once their grip is strong enough to tear bag then they are too old for this.
Different ways to incorporate senses:
Sight- black and white images up to 4 months and bright colors and pictures after that( around 4 months they develop same color vision as adults)
Touch-Provide many different textures, touchy feely books, give common safe objects to grasp around house. Providing your baby with your touch is also very important.
Hear-Provide many different sounds-soft and loud to help refine their hearing. Providing soft noises like whispers are an important way to test hearing informally.
Smell-Their sense of smell is actually the most developed sense at birth but you can provide them with a shirt with your smell to comfort them. Research also says that smells like lavender, vanilla or a cake baking makes your baby happier!!
Just found your blog thanks to Whitney Ray and am so excited! I have a 7 month old and am often at a loss for ways to play with him. So, thanks for posting. I have a feeling I'm going to look forward to seeing you pop up in my Google Reader.
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