Sensory play is very important for children from early stages. Soon after they are born, they are ready for some fun and, although initially they will be mostly passive at such activities, they will be engaging all their senses and taking in all that these activities have to offer. It is important that, when engaging in any activities with your baby, he/she is never left unattended, and that you always consider the safety and age-appropriateness of the resources that you use. Here are some of the activities that you may like to do with your baby at home: Sensory Bath Using Different Scents The warmth of water, the gentle splashes of it on the skin and the use of some natural bath soap (such as the multi-sensory Mustela Baby Bath) will provide a relaxing and multi-sensory experience for you baby. You can play some tranquil and relaxing music in the background, and gently talk to your baby about what you are doing. Oh I am feeling so relaxed just thinking about this! Bubble bath... Anyone?? To learn more about why bath time is so great visit: Otteroo Blog Baby Massage With Natural Oils I have previously written about positive effects that baby massage can have on relieving colic symptoms in babies. Apart from that, it can be another multi-sensory activity that you can enjoy with your baby. Always ensure that the room temperature of the area you use is suitable, so that your baby can truly enjoy this one-to-one time with you. There are many great baby massage oils that you might want to try - but always remember to do a patch test first, just in case your baby is sensitive to it. Natural oils, such as coconut oil, is a great option. For guidance on baby massage, have a look on this video: Use of Sounds and Music Babies love music and singing, and apart from being enjoyable, they can make us smarter. A study conducted by the Institute of Learning and Brain Sciences discovered that babies' auditory and prefrontal cortexes look different after listening to music. These are the regions of the brain in charge of processing both music and speech. “We see an impact in literacy, numeracy, physical development, gross motor coordination [such as running and jumping], fine motor skills, as well as social and emotional development,” says Graham Welsh, a British neuroscientist who studies the impact of music on young children’s brains. (Reference: Baby music: The Soundtrack to your child's development) Face Time Spending time with your baby looking at their face in close proximity, making facial expressions and playing peek-a-boo, will also stimulate all of your baby's senses. You can sit down on the floor with raised knees and comfortably place your baby on your lap so that they see you well. Rock your baby from side to side to also encourage your baby to engage their vestibular sense. Movement and different ways of carrying your baby Dancing with your baby will provide ample opportunities for the development of their movement senses and more. First they will be dancing with you in your arms. But as they grow and start to boogie on their own, you will surely have a freestyle competitor in the house! Talk Time Whatever you do, wherever you are, talk, talk and talk some more. In my nursery setting we call this 'narrating'. Your baby will learn the language and communication skills from you, so the more you talk to them the better. Every time is a good time to talk! Simply chat to your baby about what you are doing - if you are changing their nappy, talk about the steps you are taking. Your baby is a great listener and with your invaluable efforts they will soon be great talkers too! Sensory toys with different textures (rattles, moveable objects, high contrast) Nowadays, the possibilities are endless in this area. There are so many toys to choose from, and the ones provided in our Raising Baby Box are always an excellent choice. Even better - they have been tried and tested! These toys will stimulate all the senses and provide lots of fun and engagement for your little one. Tummy Time This is an amazing activity that provides lots of opportunity for sensory play. Adding a few sensory elements will make it lots more fun, and will encourage your baby to persevere at a tummy time activity. You may want to try to use a high contrast tummy time mat. Below, a video with a few very simple and engaging sensory activities, that you can easily incorporate into your baby's tummy time routine.