Sensory experiences are one of the best ways that babies learn about their worlds. Including many sensory experiences is an important part of any infant curriculum. Allow babies to experience different textures, such as rough towels, soft blankets, hard objects and natural materials, such as snow, grass, leaves and even dirt. Do not allow the babies to put unsafe items in their mouth, but guide the babies so they can touch the materials. These experiences help babies process the world and improve motor skills.
Educational toys for babies can lay a good foundation for additional learning later in life. Educational toys for babies are unlike educational toys for older children. Babies learn best from things like mirrors, high-contrast pictures, photographs of faces, animals and people, noisemakers, drums, spoons and toys that teach cause and effect, such as a song that plays when baby touches a button. Babies will also have fun listening to different types of songs and nursery rhymes, which set the foundation for effective speech.
Babies who can pull themselves up and crawl love to explore. Foster this desire for exploration by creating a safe obstacle course for young babies. Set up a variety of cardboard boxes to crawl in, soft pillows to climb over, small steps, a fun slide and a pit filled with balls can be a fun way for babies to learn how to move over different items and explore their worlds. Make sure that there are no choking hazards or safety concerns before allowing babies to play.
Floor play is important for the development of babies of all ages. According to Kid's Health.org, babies who play on the floor develop muscles faster as well as hand-eye coordination and other motor skills. Allow babies as young as just a few weeks of age to spend time on the floor. Keep age groups separated during floor time to avoid larger babies from hurting smaller babies.