20+ ideas for tummy time activities and positions Disclaimer: Please use common sense and never leave your baby unattended or try to force activities on your little one. The trick is incorporating the “right” types of tummy time exercises that will positively engage your baby without tears while also building the connection between you and your child. • Grasps and briefly holds objects. Enjoy bubbles, listen to music and sing together, talk about what you see outside. Read more. Here are some tips and tricks that helped both S and M become tummy time champs. “A good reminder is ‘back to sleep, but tummy to play,’” says Halfin. Module 2: Promoting Physical Activity for Infants and Toddlers in Early Childhood Settings 18 Tummy Time Tips. Tummy time isn’t just for babies! Lay a blanket on the grass for tummy time. It can be just as beneficial for older kids, too! Just because my children liked an activity or were ready for them at a certain age, doesn’t mean that your child should be. For toddlers: Play ‘I spy’ (keep it simple, “I spy something blue”, “I spy something that moves”). • Sits with support. Tummy time is essential for every child’s future learning development and all parents should encourage tummy time activities as much as possible. Tummy time is important for developing arm, trunk and hip muscle strength, so it is really important to find ways to encourage your infant to spend time on his or her tummy. You want to encourage it often throughout the day and for any length of time...some children can only stay in true prone on elbows for a minute or two...then take a little break resting the head and shoulders on the floor, and prop back up again. Getting lots of tummy time is a way to prevent this. Exercise ball tummy time. It's FREE and requires no additional sensory equipment! These prone position play activities are great for building core strength and endurance to support fine motor development. “Aim for two or three times a day, for three to five minutes at a time to start, and progress to … My daughter’s physiotherapist strongly recommended it for tummy time as it places their bodies on a gentle incline to help improve their tolerance for prone position and head control. Recently, we have come across several kids who just don’t have the muscle ... Read More about Prone Position: 14 Fun Activities for Kids! You simply can't go wrong with tummy time! It’s hard work, and babies often resist being put in this position for long! These suggestions 1 can help you and your baby enjoy tummy time: Spread out a blanket in a clear area of the floor for tummy time. They’re highly suited for children with special needs and can be used for practicing both gross motor and fine motor activities. So how much tummy time does your baby actually need? Park the stroller or hold your baby so they can watch an older sibling or other children play. Try short tummy time sessions after a diaper change or after your baby wakes from a nap. • Holds chest up during tummy time with weight on the forearms. In … Tummy time – its one of the most important activities for baby development, yet one that can be a struggle. Keeping hold of your baby, lay her across the top of an exercise ball, and gently rock the ball back and forth for a new tummy time experience. You can find toys for 6 month olds here. As babies grow older, more tummy time helps build strength for sitting up, rolling over, crawling, and walking. Read more. *This post contains affiliate links. Infants will often tolerate tummy time if their chests rest on a small step. This milestone is the first coordinated action of muscle extensors and flexors working together to achieve a purposeful movement. A great suggestion from The Mom Friend.