It has been really interesting to
see which activities Sophie prefers. She was not interested when I tickled her
with the ostrich feather but she was captivated by flashing light wands! We have
only been to two sessions so far but she literally does not look at me the
whole time we are there! She is so interested in everything that is going on
around her.
Here are some of the activities
we have tried at home:
1. Sensory Ball
During the class we were each given a spiky, flashing
ball. We sat in a circle with the babies facing the middle and rolled the balls
to each other. Sophie loved this! We already had a sensory ball at home (which
doesn’t light up unfortunately). She enjoyed playing with the ball on the tray
of her highchair. She pushed it, tried to grab it and at one point even managed
to pick it up with two hands and of course it went straight to her mouth!
2. Flashing Light Wand
Sophie was truly captivated by
the fibre optic light wand. I remember seeing something similar in B&Q and
as we practically drive past it on the way home I decided to pick one up. It was
in the clearance section reduced to £3. She loved it and watched it intently! Safety
note: The strands come out if pulled so do not leave your baby unattended with
one of these and do not let them chew it.
3. Tummy Time
During the class the leader shone lights on the
floor for the babies to watch during a tummy time activity. I felt like a proud
mother when the mums either side of me praised Sophie for her ability to:
a) hold her head up for the entire tummy time
activity
b) not scream/cry/face plant and
c) actually seem to enjoy it!
I was asked by one mum if we practice lots? The
honest answer – no because I often forget. A good friend advised me early on to
not get wound up about tummy time and to forget buying special pillows and toys
because you could just use yourself and not the floor. Right from the start we
have held Sophie in positions on us that allow her to strengthen her muscles –
either on our chests or laps. We have been doing more tummy time on the floor
recently in preparation for the rolling stage! As Sophie enjoyed looking at the
lights so much during the class, I decided to place the fibre optic lamp in front
of her to encourage her to lift her head and it really worked. I think I will
be getting the sensory gel mat we made back out again too.
4. Sensory Ribbons
Sophie loved watching the ribbons move, especial
the long ribbon on a stick that the leader was waving around in the middle of
the circle. We made a really simple one when we got home and she loves it.
5. The Ball Pool
The first week Sophie cried when I put her in the
ball pool and she isn’t a baby that particularly cries! I think she found it
overwhelming. I decided to put her in
the ball pool again last week. She seemed a little unsure at first but we had
no tears this time! She gave the balls a good lick (yuk – lovely and germy!)
but I think she decided they weren’t very tasty! Her Nanny and Grandad bought
her a ball pool for Christmas. Now our back room has been sorted and has becomethe playroom I think I may set it up and try this activity again in the comfort
of her own home.
So far I have really enjoyed ‘Baby Sensory’. It
completely clashes with when she would normally nap but it engages her so much
that she just about manages to stay awake until the end and then crashes out
for the rest of the afternoon at home! I can’t wait to see what other
activities we will be able to try out at home.
Have you been to Baby Sensory classes? What was your baby's favourite activity?
I have not been sponsored to write this post or asked to review Baby Sensory. I paid for the Baby Sensory classes and wanted to share my opinions about them.
