#1 High Contrast Black and White Images

Newborns' eyesight is ~not very good~. They don't really need it in the womb, not much to see, so it's all practice practice practice when they make it earthside. They develop color vision between two and four months, but the initial introduction of black and white helps develop the optic nerve.

#2 Mirror

This is something that will stand the test of playroom time. Your kiddos can use it from infancy through, well, whenever! Nobody outgrows mirrors. You’ve probably heard about the practice of tummy time and that your infant should be doing it. It helps strengthen neck and back muscles and lays a foundation for other gross motor skills like rolling over and eventually crawling. However, some babes ~do not~ like laying on their bellies, it's hard work. Mirrors help with that! If you have a baby-safe mirror or a plastic backed one (not glass!), you can set it under your baby and they can interact with their reflection to help extend the practice a bit. We like Growgo’s 3-in-1 baby mirror because it grows with your child!

#3 Glitter Pool Noodles

These are something I first saw in the infant classrooms at Boulder Journey School when I was teaching. They can serve a similar purpose as mirrors in supporting tummy time endurance, but the little glittery specs are also reflective and catch the light in fun ways. Babies love! They’re also soft and safe.

#4 Balls

Timeless. Silicone and other “teether” balls are safe for babies to put in their mouths. As they move through their first year and beyond, balls are a perfect material for exploring cause and effect, something older infants and toddlers do often. “What happens when I roll/drop/throw this ball?” And as far as balls go, biggest little’s “b is for ball” toy is pretty much as multi-purpose as you get. The box is even part of the fun!

#5 Playsilks

Playsilks are another material that will interest your infant, toddler, and older children alike. Play peek-a-boo with your baby as they develop object permanence (the ability to understand that something still exists even when they can’t see it), let them hold and feel the silks' tactile properties for a sensory experience, and allow older infants to use them as they explore an enveloping schema, covering and uncovering playroom objects.