This post will give you the best options of sensory toys for infants that will help with your little one’s cognitive development.
As a parent, it is so fun to see your little one grow and learn all the things that your older self once learned. Sensory toys for infants activate their five senses: touch, taste, sight, smell, and sound.
You want to activate those senses at an early age, which in return helps your baby to be super smart!
Having been in education all of my life and going to college eight years after high school, learning is something that I focus on with Kyla and will with all of my littles because education is the key to everything. Every child learns differently and at their own pace but that learning process is SUPER important.
Education can come from toys, experiences, people, courses, trainings, or college! That is why we take learning very seriously in our home for our littles by using toys from a very early age.
Sensory toys for infants to play with at an early age will increase their language skills and awareness. Your little one’s language abilities will grow. Sensory toys help your child problem-solve on their own, understand the purpose of turn-taking, and find opportunities to socially interact. All are super important for their learning!
Now that you know why sensory toys for infants are so awesome, I searched around for all of the sensory toys I bought for Kyla that you will love to have for your little one!
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0-6 Months Old Sensory Toys
Tummy Time Water Mat
Between 0-6 months, your little one will increase theirtummy time. This mat will entertain and stimulate their minds as they get to lift their little head to look at it. Kyla did not like tummy time, so I used this in a way to get her to play while on her tummy. She liked to rub her hands over it.
The mat has a lot of colors for your little one to look at. It will expose a new texture for touch that they can play with and has little things that move around to stimulate their mind.
Tummy Time Mirror
These little mirrors are my favorite. It is great for facial recognition at an early age and self-love. Themirror is a way to teach your baby to love themselves from an early age and to recognize facial features and expressions.
Once they start to see themselves and understand parts of the face, they will soon be able to pick up the placement of eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Pretty soon, you will teach them where they are and what they do.
It is so cute when babies smile at themselves! Because we used the mirror at an early age with Kyla, she can tell us where her eyes, nose, mouth, etc. are. And she always smiles and says CHEESE, haha.
Kick n Play Piano Play Gym
Thiskick and play piano mat is another favorite. It has so many colors, toys, sounds, and ways that stimulate your baby’s brain. It is perfect for tummy time or laying down on their back. They can look at the rattles, listen to music, and soon play with the piano.
Kyla used this every day, and let me just say this girl loved the mat. She was a needy baby, but this was one way to keep her entertained. She would reach for the rattles, and we took apart the piano as she got older to play with too!
Foot Socks and Wrist Rattles
Foot socks were the first toys we used for her as a newbie. She was a few days old, and we already started being out the sensory toys. These can go on your baby’s feet and wrists. They are very soft and make lots of noise.
When your little one is awake as a newborn, you can quickly put thesewrist rattles on them while they are held or lay down and the rattles interest them. Kyla would look around to find where these sounds were coming from. She would reach for her toes or move her hand to her face. There is not much they can do in the first few months, and it is a great way to start awareness super early!
Crinkle Cloth Book
The crinkle cloth books are great for exposing new textures and sounds to your little one. They usually feel a little like soft sandpaper and make crackle sounds that are new for your baby.
Lots of times I put Kyla in her high chair or take the6-12 Months Old Sensory Toys Soft stacking rings are one of those childhood toys that are still around! These rings are super soft and squishy for your baby to bite on if they are teething. There are different textures and colors to get familiar with using a new toy. Each ring has different patterns that are unique for your baby to play with. Once your baby can sit up, they can stack the rings and learn independent play. Your baby will also learn how things are ordered and fit together. I love these specificsoft stacking rings because Kyla would gnaw on these rings in her phase of teething, while she played with them too. Thesilicone popper gets your little one using their motor skills to push buttons and learn strategy at an early age. These poppers are great for car travels to keep their little minds focused, busy, and entertained. The developmental bumpy balls are another fun way to introduce colors, textures, turn-taking, motor skills, and more. This is a favorite for Kyla, she has always loved throwing things, and this ball bounces in all sorts of directions with lots of colors to track. You will want to keep this in your car for the baby to play with when you are driving because it keeps them very stimulated and is easy for their little hands to hold. Once your baby can sit up, they can find more things to grab and hold onto. They will also see how to play and throw a ball. It is a great way to work on their grip. The textured balls also make sounds that attract your little one’s attention. Kyla always loved to follow the ball or to hear silly squeaks that would make her giggle! I hope you loved some of our tried and true favorite toys that I believe make babies that much more advanced! Teaching your little one from an early age will make their educational skills that much more enhanced so that they are ready for all the new learning experiences they’ll have! I’ve been in the schools for 6+ years and have seen children benefit from some of the most simple toys shared with them! These are our favorites we love for our Kyla and have kept for all our babies at an early age!Soft Stacking Rings
Silicone Popper Toy
Developmental Bumpy Ball
Multicolored Texture Balls
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