Basic gear to foster motor development
Basic gear
- Mobile
- Musical toys
- Mirrors in the crib or play pen
- Soft fabric toys with differing sounds and textures
- Fabric dolls or animals with easy to grab limbs
- Activity mat
- Rattles - Lighter rattles for young children; rattles can be played with
in any position; can be used to encourage rolling and movement; encourages
midline, fine motor and transfer skills; encourages children to reach toward
things they can see and hear
Equipment to be used in moderation
It is important for babies to be safe while being transported. Car seats and
strollers are necessary equipment but should be used for transport only and not
for prolonged periods throughout the day. The pieces of equipment listed below,
when used for extended periods of time, decrease exploration of the enviroment,
increase pressure at the back of the head, promote poor postural alignment and
limit muscle activity that may lead to muscle weakness and delayed gross motor
skills.
- Strollers (with car seat carry along)
- Car seats (carry along)
- Bouncy seats
Equipment to avoid
Some equipment that is marketed as beneficial is actually detrimental to your
baby's postural development and overall safety and well being. These should
never be used due to the detrimentals effects these can have on your child's
gross motor development.
- Johnny Jumper or suspended jumper - Concerns: Child can
fall; strangulation may occur; the apparatus could collapse; straps fraying or
breaking; screws from device falling on children; increased risk of head
trauma; increases vertigo with twirling; whiplash; foot deformities due to not
weightbearing symmetrically on toes.
- Baby walkers - These are banned by the American Medical Association (AMA).
They are no longer manufactured or sold in Canada. Concerns:
Increased risk of injury secondary to harmful objects or falling down stairs;
delayed balance reactions.
Electomyography (EMG studies show how your
muscles activate or work while performing certain activities) studies have
shown that babies using walkers may begin walking at similar times as babies
not using walkers. However, babies using walkers demonstrated incorrect
postures that encouraged their muscles to move in the wrong order.
Exersaucer - Positive aspects: Baby can cruise or stand
around outside of toy; can play with toys from the outside of
exersaucer to help enhance fine motor skills; can practice pulling to stand on
outside of exersaucer.
Concerns: While suspended in
bucket seat, baby may keep legs bent or stand stiff legged on their toes
(neither position fosters proper body alignment); unequal weight bearing into
lower extremities; encourages weight bearing on the inside of the foot which can
lead to foot deformities; promotes round neck and back, pelvis tilting backwards
during sitting ("slouching posture"); sets up incorrect postural alignment
because babies are placed upright before their muscles are ready; babies will
hyperextend their backs and drop their stomachs out forward.
Some studies
have shown that babies will walk later from being placed in an exersaucer
secondary to not experiencing appropriate weight bearing and weight shifting
necessary to develop good trunk control and alignment.
The infants show a
decreased drive to explore and get from one place to another using gross motor
skills; they rely on the saucer for stability instead of using their back and
stomach muscles; the saucers promote incorrect weight bearing into hip joint,
which is critical for bony development. Infants learn improper alignment and
compensatory patterns of movement in standing.
- Bumbo Seat - Positive aspects: Keeps weight off the back
of the child's head. ( This can be achieved in supervised tummy-time
activities.)
Concerns: Promotes round neck and back,
pelvis tilting backwards during sitting ("slouching posture"); baby is not
actively using any of his back extensor muscles; decreased ability to explore
their enviroment; Decreased cognitive, social, and overall generalized
learning activities.
Toys to avoid:
These toys pose choking and or suffocation hazards:
- Antique rattles
- Foam toys
- Toys with elastic
- Toys with buttons, bells and ribbons
- Old wooden toys that may contain lead paint
- Furry plush dolls that shed
- Any toys with small parts
- Loosely stitched or plastic eyes
Tummy time
- Allows child to develop trunk musculature, especially back extensors and
shoulder girdle muscles.
- Decreases pressure at the back of the head, helpful in preventing a flat
head shape.
- Infants that have sufficient tummy time acquire motor milestones such as
creeping and crawling faster.
- Encourages development of early experiences such as weight shifting,
rolling and general mobility and facilitates basic balance reactions through
the trunk.
Activities that foster good tummy time:
- Stroller rides on tummy.
- Place your baby on their stomach while over your lap.
- Place baby on tummy on your chest while you are reclined.
- Carry your baby horizontally. Scoop your hand under your baby's chest so
their legs straddle your forearm.
- Get down on the floor facing the baby with or without toys placed between
you.
Toys/equipment that foster good tummy time:
As babies develop, so does their need for play things that fit their growing
abilities.
- "Tummy Time" play mat with toys (Do not use included pillow.)
- "Pack N Play" with baby placed on tummy
- 2 in 1 tummy timeplay gym
- Easy store activity zoo
Things to avoid while placed on tummy:
- Objects placed under chest or arms will place back in a poor position
- Baby left unsupervised
- Pillows/pads or other soft objects under body or face which may interfere
with breathing