Sensory Activities for Babies

A baby's senses develop quickly from the moment they are born. They are inquisitive about the world around them as they are exposed to so many new things. Parents can use sensory activities for babies to further their baby's development. This article focuses on sensory activities specific for baby development and why these activities are important.

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Baby sledging is an activity you can do before your baby is able to walk or crawl from about 6 weeks old. It sounds dangerous but it is just a way of simulating forward motion. By using a piece of cardboard you can give your baby a sense freedom. This activity develops your baby's motor skills as eventually they will try to propel themselves along. Place your baby on the cardboard on their stomach with their arms out in front of them. Gently push and pull the cardboard over a rug or carpet to create a sensation of crawling.

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At about 3 months old your baby will become transfixed by moving shapes and patterns; the television may even catch your baby's eye. This is the perfect time to get them involved in a shadow game. This sensory activity helps improve your baby's visual skill and all you need is a torch.

Start with your baby in your lap and shine the torch at the wall. Use your hands to block the light and create a dancing shadow on the wall. You don't have to be an expert on hand animals, start simple by waving your hands in front of the light, then holding up different numbers of fingers. Your baby will no doubt be captivated by the shapes and movement. Get your baby involved by helping them to make their own shadows. This sensory activity is ideal for night time before putting your baby to bed.

Babies are fascinated with the world including animals and insects. A sensory activity you can do together that plays to this is the butterfly game. Start by sitting on the floor with your baby in your lap facing away from you. Bend over raising your arms to make a roof above your baby's head mimicking a cocoon. Explain that the caterpillar is going to wake up and become a butterfly. Gradually raise your arms, as you do this sit up and gently move your baby's arms up too. Then flap your arms to the side like the wings of a butterfly. If you practice this sensory activity regularly your baby will soon learn to participate by moving their too. Games like this can improve your baby's verbal and motor skills.

Your baby's motor and language skills will develop long before their first word. Baby signing is an activity that can be used to help your baby progress with communication. Words are paired with different signs which allow you to understand your baby better. It is a common misconception that baby signing has a negative effect on speech development when in actual fact it can enhance language skills and vocabulary.

There are a variety of sensory activities for babies that will help improve the development of your baby's senses. From cardboard sledging to shadow puppets and baby signing, there are lots of fun sensory activities that you can do with your baby that will create a stronger bond between you.

Sensory Activities for Babies
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