Babies go through a rapid period of development in the first year of life, and a big portion of that is physical development. In order to go from a scrunched up newborn to a walking toddler they need plenty of time and space to move. They need to stretch, kick and roll, creep and crawl, squat and stand.
They need a flat surface that allows them to practice finding balance in a variety of positions. They need a safe area to explore and experiment with their bodies; free of danger and out of the way of frequent foot traffic. Babies need a place all their own that can be adapted to meet their ever-changing needs and skills.
There are too many contraptions designed and marketed for babies that keep them from doing what they need to do to develop and grow. And because they are so commonplace, these contraptions that restrict babies from moving and playing are rarely given much scrutiny. The irony is, many babies spend so much time restricted from doing what they need and want to do that when they finally have a chance to freely move, they are often prompted to do what they aren’t yet ready for and what they are capable of doing is undervalued.
So what can we do? How can we support our babies and give them what they need? How can we keep them safe while also giving them room to be? The answer? A designated play space; a place all their own. A place that has room enough for them to move around at their leisure. A place where you can rearrange toys as their interests and skills grow. A place that is safe and free of danger.
When creating a play space for your baby, consider the following:
Location: the goal is for this to be your baby’s special play area when he/she isn’t being held or directly cared for. Ensure that you can see and hear your baby in their play space when you are engaged in other household activities.
Size: it doesn’t need to be a huge space but there does need to be room to move about and explore and it needs to be an enclosed space.
Your feelings: your baby will only feel like this is a “baby jail” if you perceive it as such. Babies like secure spaces and feel most comfortable when they have boundaries. Your baby can thrive in this space if you endear him/her to it and view it as a gift; the gift of freedom.
Objects: what you place in your baby’s play space depends on what your baby is currently interested in. If you set it up in an attractive way, you will pique the interest of your baby’s desire to explore.
Safety: is the chosen area truly safe for your baby to be in alone?
The best time to set up a safe play space is long before you truly need it; before they are on the move. Endearing babies to a safe play space when they are still playing on their backs or beginning to roll over will help them feel at home in it when they start exploring more extensively.
Giving babies a place all their own isn’t only a gift to them but it’s a gift to us as well. When you know your baby is safe and engaged in play, you can freely go about tending to other needs without worrying about your baby’s safety.
Need help creating a play area specifically for your baby? Contact Beholding Baby, we can help!
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