Your baby is on the move. He is crawling, rolling, looking for new possibilities and opportunities to explore. We have found this a little challenging in terms of providing the right, age-appropriate toys, that would not ruin our budgets, or limit the curiosity of our boys. Here is what seems to have worked for our little explorers.
Having spoken about swings and bouncers or activity centers and suggested to take those away in our recent post - what could you place there instead?
Remember that movement is play. Practicing to sit, to crawl or stand up is not just hard work. It is play after all. Nothing else is needed to help your child train those muscles or movements.
Maybe something simple?
Your child is moving around much more, this is play in itself, but there is also time when the interest in objects comes in play – right about now . You might see much more curiosity than before in reaching out and grabbing objects, checking out their different qualities, trying what can and cannot be done with them. First you may notice interest in one particular object – the simpler the object the longer time your baby is likely to spend with it. Open-ended toys, those with no purpose stimulate imagination. The toys you placed around him when he was still tiny are good for a start here!
Pick something simple and spend some time with it yourself – play! You might be surprised, but the longer time you give yourself, the more amazing and creative things you will discover about a simple wooden ring. Is it heavy or light? How does it feel in your hand? What sound does it make on the floor? What about on another object? Does it taste good? Is it pleasant to suck on it? Can you roll it? Can you thrown it? Oh look, here is another one – are they the same? Can you put them together? What if you bang them? What if you try to put one on your foot? What about the shadows it makes on the wall…….
Possibilities are endless!
A box (or laundry basket)
A very low wooden box allows children to follow their need to crawl onto or into things. The wooden box can be placed both ways around. First we would recommend to have it (in our eyes) upside down – so the baby can try and crawl onto it. Once she achieved that she will face the challenge to get back down. Therefore the box should be not too high. It can be an old drawer or an easily timbered box. Whatever you have on offer. The box can be extended with a ramp where the child can crawl up (and down). All these movements are simple play.
Later you can turn the box around so the child can crawl in. That way she can experience space and how to fit in (or not).
The box will be interesting for months. Even years. The child will then walk onto it, jump up and down. He will roll objects up and down the ramp extension if you have one (a good plank will do the job as well – safely attached). And you will be surprised what else your child comes up with when playing with, on and in the box.
The need to climb is a very strong one, and it is developmentally appropriate. It would be counter-productive to stop your child from doing it – instead try and provide something she can safely climb onto.
Other ideas we have used include:
- Cups, bottles, baskets etc. – everything that can be stacked, things can go into it, some are bigger and some smaller. The discovery that two things are identical is an astonishing one as well – have more than one of something and see what happens in time.
- Things that move – in our households cars have been the biggest hit for a long time. They will last forever, too.
- Household items – no need to buy much, you can pick the safe things you have at home. This way also makes the baby feel like he really is part of the house – he gets to help with the real stuff!
„Do less. Observe more. Enjoy most.“ (Magda Gerber)
Have you learnt anything watching your baby play? What were the most exciting moments for you? What toys or play objects were among the favourites in your house?
We would love to hear you thoughts!
Nadine & Anna