Have you ever wondered why toys for babies tend to have so many bells, whistles and lights? Or why they have so many different textures, and materials and colors? It's almost as if we want to provide young babies with a whole world of stimulation and we can't quite get it to them fast enough.
Play gyms or activity gyms as they are sometimes called tend to be a firm favorite with babies from newborn up to about 12 months. These play gyms and activity nests mostly come in the form of comfortable, quilted or softly padded playmats, sometimes raised at the edges with a space in the middle for baby (like a ring doughnut). And these play gyms can be either brightly colored or in soft, pastel shades. But don't be fooled by thinking they are just snug and comfy resting places for babies to fall asleep in! These activity gyms can provide a plethora of visual, audio and tactile stimulation for fast developing young inquisitive minds.
Often decorated with well known and lovable characters, Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger, Eyore, or farm and zoo animals as well, they can consist of detachable, hanging parts for small babies to try to grasp. They tend to have parts that are crinkly, soft, scrunchy textures for baby to touch, squeeze and stroke. Some come with bright twinkling lights and bells and others make funny sounds, or musical sounds, and some even do both. You will often find mirrors attached to these activity gyms, so that your baby gets to find and see its own reflection, often providing hours of fun for babies and carers alike. All of this is extremely important for developing young minds. Babies are like a sponge, they are ready to absorb whatever information they can - and boy - they can't grasp it fast enough! A lot of new research points to the first three years of life as being critical to a baby's developing brain. It is a known fact that during this period, not only does the brain triple in weight but it also establishes thousands of billions of nerve connections. Astonishingly, at the age of three, a young child has twice as many nerve connections as many adults. Therefore, in your role as a parent, or primary care giver, it is of paramount importance that you recognize this and understand just how much development is taking place inside your young baby's brain from birth until the age of three. At birth, children have most of the neurons (brain cells) they need for a lifetime however, these brain cells are not yet linked (or "wired") together to form the complex networks that are required for mature thought processes to take place. And what happens is that in the early years, young children's brain cells form these connections, or synapses as they are commonly called, very very rapidly.
One of the crucial ingredients to aiding these connections to form, is experience, and repetition.
In a word, the more times you repeat something new, like showing a baby how to scrunch up a ball, the quicker these connections are formed. Therefore, it naturally follows that the more positive interaction you give an infant or toddler, the more you are helping to stimulate young brains. This stimulation causes new connections to form neural pathways and strengthens existing ones.
Playing with activity gyms, with all the bells and whistles that they offer or reading to a child, anything which allows a child to have positive, interactive processes, will aid your child's brain development.
So, as you lovingly sit and watch your young baby laughing and gurgling on the play mat or under the activity gym - do not underestimate the power of the changes taking place in the brain, all enriching an inquisitive mind and arming it with a plethora of knowledge and understanding for years to come.
I Bansal is a mother of two and webmaster of http://www.1st-toys-online.com.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
For first time parents choosing a swing set or outdoor... Read More
At the ADHD Information Library we are big believers that... Read More
Prioritize. Learn to say No. Steal some time for yourself.Don't... Read More
This is one of the most common questions asked of... Read More
Here's a scene: A parent "might suddenly grab a happliy... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
A strange thing happened to me today. Or more precisely,... Read More
Most teens go into the work world ill-prepared to manage... Read More
My thirteen-year-old daughter recently called me up to say she... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives... Read More
Gift shops are a kid magnet and often a trip... Read More
It is hard to believe that summer is coming to... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
When your child shows signs of potty training readiness, it's... Read More
Does your child pout, blame and brood? Does he gripe,... Read More
Sometimes a change of perspective can make a huge difference... Read More
Although many parents are concerned with our children's intelligence quotient... Read More
A sure way to double the joys of parenthood is... Read More
Angie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept... Read More
As parents, we love our children and want to do... Read More
For most children, it is easy to learn to read... Read More
On a recent Saturday evening, I noticed a young teen-age... Read More
Do you want your child to cooperate with you more?Children... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Several similar terms describe the central attribute of a character... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
1. They are leaders as well as parents. They don't... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
Lets face it becoming a mum is a bit of... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge.... Read More
Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More
"Becoming a parent can make you a better worker," New... Read More
Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than... Read More
In the last 20 years we've all been introduced to... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
"I took care of Callie," my three-year-old announced.Callie had been... Read More
"My son won't go to bed at night without a... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Until about the age of six, children do not generally... Read More
Q. What is the best way to teach safety awareness... Read More
A great many parents are concerned that the electronic games... Read More
Ah, there is nothing like being an expectant mom. Along... Read More
My name is Duncan and I'm 2 years old. I... Read More
Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
Dear Camille,As I thumb through the photographs that I carry... Read More
They Spur Members To Grow EmotionallyTatiana Tannenbaum grappled with a... Read More
Does your child pout, blame and brood? Does he gripe,... Read More
Parenting |