Sensory development is a critical part of a newborn’s growth, forming the foundation for how they interact with the world. From the moment they are born, babies use their senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—to gather information and learn about their environment. Sensory experiences not only help babies make sense of their surroundings, but also contribute to cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
In the first few months of life, a baby’s brain is rapidly growing, and sensory stimulation plays a vital role in forming neural connections that will support future learning. Toys that focus on sensory development, such as hanging jingle columns, rattle balls, hanging mirrors, and crinkle toys, provide a wonderful means of nurturing this growth.
The First Steps in Sensory Development
At birth, a baby’s sensory systems are already at work, although some senses are more developed than others. For instance, touch is highly refined; babies can recognise their mother’s touch and respond to it. Hearing is also well-developed; newborns can distinguish sounds and show a preference for their mother's voice. Vision, on the other hand, is still maturing, and babies can only see objects that are about 20-30 cm from their face.
During the first year, a baby’s brain is developing at an extraordinary rate. This is a critical time for building the sensory systems that will support everything from motor skills to communication. Providing babies with toys that stimulate their senses can help ensure that they are developing those essential pathways in their brain.
The Benefits of Sensory Play
Sensory play, or play that engages one or more of a baby’s senses, has many benefits. It can:
-
Enhance cognitive development: Sensory play helps babies learn cause and effect. For example, when they shake a rattle ball and hear the sound, they learn that their actions can have an impact on their surroundings. The majority of our rattan play gym bundles come with a hanging rattle ball, see them here.
-
Develop motor skills: Engaging in tactile activities, such as feeling different textures in crinkle toys or grasping a jingle column, helps babies strengthen their fine motor skills. Reaching, grabbing, and manipulating objects is important for building hand-eye coordination.
-
Promote language development: As babies explore their environment, they begin to attach meaning to sounds and sensations. Playing with sensory toys helps them develop the language skills they’ll need to describe and understand the world around them.
-
Encourage problem-solving: Through sensory play, babies learn to think critically and solve problems. For instance, when a baby sees their reflection in a hanging mirror, they might reach out to touch it, learning about spatial awareness and object permanence.
-
Support emotional development: Sensory play is often soothing for babies. The gentle sound of a rattle or the soft crinkle of fabric can have a calming effect, helping babies regulate their emotions. It also fosters bonding between parent and child as they play together.
Toys That Support Sensory Development
Choosing the right toys for sensory development is key to helping your baby grow and learn in those early months. Below are some excellent examples of sensory toys and how they benefit babies.
1. Hanging Jingle Columns
Hanging jingle columns are ideal for newborns because they engage both hearing and sight. As babies lie under the hanging toy and bat at the jingle column, they’re rewarded with the sound of soft bells. This teaches them about cause and effect, as they learn that their movements create sound. The bright colours of the jingle column also stimulate their visual development, encouraging them to track objects with their eyes.
2. Rattle Balls
Rattle balls offer a range of sensory experiences in one compact toy. Babies can grasp the ball, which helps strengthen their grip and fine motor skills. Shaking the ball creates a sound that delights their auditory senses. The rounded shape also encourages babies to practice rolling, which is a precursor to crawling. The multiple textures on some rattle balls give babies different tactile experiences, helping them understand the concept of texture and feel.
3. Hanging Mirrors
Babies are naturally curious about faces, and hanging mirrors are perfect for stimulating visual exploration. Even though babies may not recognise themselves in the reflection right away, they will be fascinated by the movement and light changes in the mirror. Over time, playing with mirrors helps babies develop self-awareness. It also teaches them the concept of object permanence—understanding that objects continue to exist even when they can’t be seen. Find our hanging mirrors here.
4. Crinkle Toys
Crinkle toys are an excellent tool for engaging a baby’s sense of hearing and touch. The crinkling sound made when babies grab or squeeze these toys provides immediate auditory feedback, which helps them make connections between their actions and the sounds they produce. The different textures of crinkle toys also allow babies to explore through touch, enhancing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
How to Encourage Sensory Play at Home
While toys are a fantastic way to support your baby’s sensory development, there are plenty of ways to encourage sensory exploration in everyday activities. Here are some simple ideas:
-
Touch different textures: Introduce your baby to a variety of textures, such as soft blankets, smooth wood, or cool metal objects. Allow them to feel these different materials to help them develop their sense of touch.
-
Sing and talk: Singing to your baby and talking to them as you go about your daily activities not only provides auditory stimulation but also supports language development. Babies love hearing the sound of their parent's voice and will begin to mimic sounds and babble back. We have our handy little play cards, designed by an Early Childhood Learning Specialist. Find them here.
-
Visual stimulation: Use high-contrast black-and-white toys or books for newborns, as their developing vision is best stimulated by bold, simple patterns. As their eyesight improves, introduce more colourful toys to help them track and focus.
-
Tummy time: Tummy time is essential for building your baby’s core strength, which will help with future motor development. Place sensory toys, such as crinkle toys or rattles, in front of your baby during tummy time to encourage them to reach and explore. See our range of beautiful tummy time pillows here.
Sensory development in newborns is an essential part of their overall growth. By providing your baby with sensory-stimulating toys and engaging them in sensory play, you’re helping to build their brain’s neural pathways, enhancing their cognitive, emotional, and motor development. Toys like hanging jingle columns, rattle balls, hanging mirrors, and crinkle toys offer simple yet effective ways to support your baby’s learning and make playtime enjoyable and beneficial.
Encouraging sensory development from the earliest stages not only promotes healthy growth but also sets the foundation for lifelong learning. So, whether you’re rattling a ball or crinkling a soft toy, know that you are playing a vital role in your baby’s development journey.