A–Z Glossary

Sensory play

Sensory play is gentle interaction involving sensations such as temperature, touch, smell, light, movement, or texture.

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Activities for 3 to 6 month babies

Activities for 3 to 6 month babies

Start with responsive, supervised floor play Floor play is the foundation for many activities in this age range because it allows an infant to move freely and practise against a stable surface. Choose a clean, firm play mat on the floor rather than a bed, sofa, or raised surface. Place your baby on their back […]

Sensory play for babies

Sensory play for babies

What sensory play means in infancy Sensory play is any safe experience that lets a baby notice and respond to information from the body or environment. This includes the familiar senses of vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, as well as the vestibular system, which detects head movement and position, and proprioception for body awareness, […]

Scarf and Fabric Play for Visual Tracking

Scarf and Fabric Play for Visual Tracking

What Visual Tracking Means in Early Infancy Visual tracking is the coordinated movement of the eyes as they follow a target. It includes fixation, or holding the gaze on an object, and smooth pursuit, or following its movement. Early in life, infants may look only briefly, lose the target, or respond more consistently when the […]

Outdoor Sensory Play With Leaves, Grass and Wind

Outdoor Sensory Play With Leaves, Grass and Wind

Why Natural Sensory Experiences Matter Babies learn through coordinated sensory and motor activity. They look toward movement, listen for changes in sound, reach toward interesting objects, shift posture, and use their hands and mouths to investigate safe materials. Outdoor play adds naturally variable input: a leaf may be smooth on one side and veined on […]

Developmental Play During Diaper Changes

Developmental Play During Diaper Changes

Why Diapering Can Be a Developmental Moment Diapering is a repeated, face-to-face caregiving interaction. Unlike a special activity that may happen occasionally, it occurs often enough for a baby to learn a recognizable sequence: the caregiver approaches, uses familiar words and touch, completes care, and helps the child return to play or rest. Predictable hygiene […]