The Benefits Of The Play Mat For Babies – Being Parents

Thanks to play mats, babies have the full possibility of integrating textures, sounds and colors in a pleasant way. Knowing some of the benefits of the play mat can help parents provide everything the child needs.

Although there are devices to place in the crib such as mobiles, there are blankets to place on the floor to help the baby in his development. Indeed, these rugs have a varied range of colorful and flexible accessories that promote play and learning for the child.

Usually, this type of mat for babies have bars. They are specially designed for exercises, on which various elements are suspended. Indeed, the newborn can therefore quietly study these elements.

Baby play mats have well-defined shapes. On the tummy, the baby will manage to hold his head a little more day after day. In addition, he will also manage to acquire greater mobility of his hands.

The benefits of play mats for babies

It is essential for babies to be able to move freely to learn more about their bodies. From an early age, they should be placed face down on the mat to help them strengthen the neck muscles. This is an essential step for them to succeed in sitting down.

The proximity of different colored objects and different shapes and textures will give the child the desire to learn. It will also give him the desire to continue to discover with enthusiasm.

Teething rings, soft mirrors, objects with rattles and various sounds are very useful items. They who will help to entertain the little one.

The “baby gyms” with flexible hoops crossing the surface activate the different stimuli when the baby stretches the arms and legs. Indeed, it promotes coordination of the limbs, in addition to exercising the different muscles of the body.

In this way, sensory development is accompanied by cognitive development through toys that promote cause and effect relationships. Thanks to all this, the baby will gradually gain autonomy.

Finally, it is important to emphasize that in a lying position on the stomach, postural (or positional) plagiocephaly is prevented in babies.

When they spend most of the day on their backs, the back of the baby’s head may then flatten out. This can perfectly be avoided with a play mat on the floor.

The varieties of play mats for babies according to their age

When you choose a play mat, then you will find a multitude of options on the market:

• Play mat from the 3rd month. At this point, the baby begins to feel the need to explore the world for the first time after spending two months hugging and sleeping. Although he is not mature enough to distinguish colors, he can nonetheless distinguish the contrast between one and the other.
• Play mats from 6 months. Babies will assimilate the relationship between movement and the world. When he stretches his arm, he will find an object. Indeed, he will then experience all kinds of sensations: auditory, tactile, visual.
• If an object captures their attention many times, they will repeat the actions often. Gradually, they will recognize their own toys and start to have preferences.

• Awakening mats from 7 to 8 months. At this stage, they are play mats that offer babies different textures: soft, smooth, crisp, soft. His fingers are already acting consciously and will be able to differentiate each surface.

• Between its 7 months and 8 months, the gray matter evolves in a surprising way. The baby begins to have deep thoughts about the world. This will lead him to create his first categories and mental orders. He will be able to perfectly associate which sounds, colors and textures are the most pleasant for him. The play mats for babies have the particularity of stimulating several senses at the same time.
• Up to 24 months. Beyond the fact that the floor is one of the favorite places of a baby when it comes to playing, it does not leave aside play mats. And this even if the baby can walk. These play mats do not take up a lot of space and the child will feel reassured to have a space of his own.

In short, play mats for babies offer untold benefits for their development. From three months to two years old, this cluster of colors, textures and shapes will accompany him step by step on the path to healthy development.