Push and pull toys are important for mobile infants. These types of toys help children learn about movement and help them develop their coordination. These toys encourage children to move the toys around and to chase after them, helping with crawling and walking. The child care worker can set these toys out as an activity and encourage the children to move after the toys. These toys can also be used in socializing activities as the infants participate in parallel play, side-by-side with other children in the room.
Mobile infants love to practice their newfound skills. Cruising broadens their horizons and is an important step toward walking. Child care centers should set up activities that encourage the infants to pull up on objects and then further encourage them to move along after they have successfully pulled up. This can be done with a low piece of furniture or table that has been properly secured to prevent tipping over. The child care worker can entice the infant by putting a vibrant, exciting toy on the surface to encourage standing. Once the child stands, the care provider would then continue to move the toy along to motivate the infant to cruise along to get the toy.
Climbing is fun and exciting for infants. Child care workers can provide a safe environment for infants to climb. This can be done by stacking a pile of large, soft pillows on a carpeted or padded surface. Infants will often be excited by the challenge. If an infant seems a bit reluctant to head up the mountain of pillows, he can be enticed by placing a toy at the top of the pile. This activity can help improve the infant's sense of balance and gross motor skills.
Music and dancing activities benefit infants in various ways. Child care workers can put on some rhythmic music and help the infants sway to the beat. They can help the children wave their arms and clap their hands along with the music. Large instruments, such as drums and rattles, can also be used to encourage movement in infants. This helps with both their fine and gross motor skills and their growing music appreciation.