Baby gyms are simply recreational mats that are designed to offer children with stimulation and entertainment. Through music, attractive colors, and games, they can aid a child’s motor development. Moreover, they can stimulate exploration of a child’s surroundings. They are also known as wooden baby gym, activity mats or play mats. You will find these recreational mats ideal for babies between two and six months old.
As the child’s abilities and senses become more refined, the manner in which they interact with the gym also changes. Nowadays, there is a wide range of gym designs to choose from. Most of these are portable and easy to move. That allows you to place them in any given room in your house. You should note that play mats are common items on the baby shower registries.
What They Look Like?
Ideally, baby gyms consist of cushioned mat that can stretch out on a floor. You can hang a wide range of toys above the mat. The objects catch one’s attention and can motivate them to reach with their legs or arms. Most mats have other elements that include sounds, lights, or mirrors that can help stimulate your baby. Complex mats include some vibration and music that helps calm the baby.
If your baby is within the age of two and four months, the play mats help a child to learn how to grasp. In addition, they help motivate the child’s body movement and also encourage visual development. After the child is able to hold the head up, you should place her face down to encourage crawling and strengthen muscles.
Benefits of Baby Gyms
Baby gyms help improve a baby’s psychomotor development. As a result of the play, your child can learn to grasp different objects that float above the child. Also, the cushioned surface allows the child to wiggle without getting injured. Remember that baby gyms help stimulate the senses of hearing and sight through light, sound, and color. They can also motivate the child to explore the surrounding environments.
Another benefit of using a baby gym is that it helps in cognitive development. The miniature play centers can help develop the child’s memory. It is advisable for parents to teach children the names of different objects that hang above. Also, they can invite children to look or even touch objects they name. The truth is that baby gyms offer many hours of entertainment and fun where parents get involved and share their playtime with children.