If your baby isn’t crawling yet, you might find yourself wondering whether there are toys that could help.
The most important thing to remember is this: toys don’t make babies reach milestones.
Every baby develops at their own pace, and there’s a wide range of what can be typical when it comes to learning to move. Rather than trying to teach a baby to crawl, toys can create interesting and inviting opportunities for them to move, each, turn and explore.
So, what toys are worth choosing before crawling begins?
- Easy to grasp toys
Before babies can move across the room to find something interesting, there’s lots of learning happening right where they are.
Lightweight rattles, grasping toys, textured rings and other easy-to-hold objects encourage babies to reach, grasp, transfer objects between their hands and explore different movements.
- Rolling balls
A simple ball can offer so many possibilities. Babies can watch it roll, reach towards it, push it away and begin to understand that their actions can make something happen.
As babies become more interested in moving, a slowly rolling ball can provide a natural reason to stretch, turn and pivot as ways to move closer towards it.
This is giving your baby something interesting to explore.
- Baby-safe mirrors
Mirrors are still a brilliant play resource for babies.
Place a baby-safe mirror in front of your baby during tummy time or supported sitting. They may reach towards the reflection, smile, babble or become fascinated by the face looking back at them.
Sit alongside or on the floor with your baby and name what you can see: “There’s your nose” “Can you see Mummy?” Talking, smiling and playing together.
- Cause-and -effect toys
“I did something and something happened!”
A rattle makes a noise when it’s shaken. A spinner moves when it’s touched. A ball rolls when it’s pushed- endless discoveries!
Simple cause and effect toys help babies begin to understand that their actions can have an effect on the world around them.
Your baby might stretch out a hand to spin something again, shift their body weight to reach it or work out how to repeat an action.
- Sensory and textured toys
Different textures, shapes and materials provide sensory information and encourage babies to squeeze, turn, hold and manipulate objects. Interesting textures can encourage babies to reach out, grasp and manipulate objects while allowing them to explore at their own pace.
Look for toys with different safe textures, ridges, bumps which are suitable for your baby’s age.
- Toys that move- but not too quickly!
A toy that gently rolls or moves can encourage curiosity and movement.
The key is making sure it doesn’t disappear across the room before your baby has had the chance to explore it!
Something that moves a short distance when pushed can encourage reaching, stretching and eventually moving across the room. Keep play enjoyable and not frustrating for your baby.
Floor time matters too
One of the most valuable things you can offer is time and space to move freely on the floor while awake and supervised.
Place a few interesting toys from our play kits on the floor. Place them within and just around their comfortable reach and allow them to explore.
What if my baby still isn’t crawling?
Babies don’t all follow exactly the same developmental timeline and crawling itself can look very different from one child to another.
It’s natural to compare your baby’s progress with another baby’s or feel that you need to buy a particular toy to help them reach the next stage.
If you have concerns about your baby’s development or movement, speak to your health visitor, GP or another healthcare professional.
The Wilf and Bear Approach
At Wilf and Bear Toys, we don’t choose toys because they promise to make babies reach milestones faster.
We choose toys with a ‘why’ behind them.
Can this toy encourage reaching?
Can this toy invite exploration?
Does it offer an interesting sensory experience?
Can a baby discover cause and effect?
Can it be enjoyed in different ways as their skills develop?
Wholesome moments of play- Carlene
