Sensory Stimulation for Babies 3-9 Months Old
Between the ages of 3-9 months, your baby’s development happens very quickly – and it’s usually quite entertaining to watch as their personality develops. From improving mobility to the first toothy peg and all the adorable babbling, there’s a lot to enjoy about this stage.
Your baby is on a learning sprint – and as their primary carer, you play a vital role in encouraging their development.
How Your Baby is Developing
Your baby’s brain is developing rapidly during this time, and everyday sensory experiences all help shape the way they learn. Everything your baby sees, hears, touches, smells, and tastes is creating ‘wiring’ in their brain that assists them to recognise and understand their environment.
During the third and fourth months, your baby is starting to recognise more familiar faces, and improve their motor and visual skills. This is the age you start to see reaching, grabbing, and rolling over.
Their emotional development is directly influenced by the time they spend with you. You may notice them begin to mimic your facial expressions, and they also learn how to use facial expressions to communicate their own emotions.
Between six and nine months, big changes are happening. Even before they begin to speak, your baby can understand the meaning of many words. They may turn when they hear their own name, or stop to look at you when you say the word ‘no’ – and then choose to ignore your instruction!
Benefits of Sensory Stimulation for Babies
Sensory stimulation is important at every stage of development, but it’s particularly important for babies because this is when you’re establishing the foundation of learning.
Sensory stimulation positively impacts a baby’s development in every way. Multisensory engagement contributes to:
- cognitive development
- language development
- gross and fine motor skills
- improved balance and coordination
- social skills
- emotional wellbeing
- creativity and problem-solving
Sensory Activities To Try With Your Baby
Your baby’s brain uses sensory information to understand the world around them, and multi-sensory engagement is a vital element of healthy emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
You can assist with this development by exposing your baby to a wide range of sensory activities that delight and surprise them. Of course, some sensory activities are beneficial no matter your baby’s age – so lots of cuddles and chats from birth are essential. Other activities are age-based, and what your baby enjoys and responds to will evolve as they get older.
Sensory activities for 3 -5 month olds
- tummy time
- play mats – great for learning to roll over, or watch and reach for overhead mobile toys
- grasping toys – try soft rattles, teethers, etc.
- dancing to music – try holding your baby and swaying to the rhythm.
Sensory activities for 6 -9 month olds
- bubbles – babies love watching bubbles float and pop
- experiencing textures – try a silky scarf, a scrunched-up piece of paper, a smooth leaf, or bumpy pinecone
- rolling balls – with your baby sitting independently or with support from another adult, try rolling a ball back and forth
- singing songs with hand gestures – try “This Little Piggy” or “Incy Wincy Spider”
- outdoor exploration – sit in the backyard to feel the breeze, hear the birds singing and touch the grass
- reading picture books – point to the pictures and name the objects. This repetition is excellent for developing language.
Benefits of Baby Sensory Classes
While there is plenty of sensory stimulation in your baby’s everyday life, you can build on this with structured baby sensory classes.
Sensory classes are tailored to different ages and stages of a baby’s development, so every session includes a balance of activities to keep your little one engaged.
There are so many benefits to attending sensory classes with your little one.
- Fun: babies learn best through play, and our baby classes are designed to delight the young and young at heart.
- Convenience: teacher-led sessions allow tired parents to simply enjoy the experience with their baby – no activities to plan, no mess to clean up!
- Bonding: carers cherish one-on-one time with bub, away from busy home life and the distraction of siblings.
- Evidence-based: classes are designed by early childhood educators using age-appropriate activities that are backed by research.
- Social Connection: these classes are the perfect way for babies and their parent/carer to get out of the house and meet new people.