Summer is a time for families with infants that naturally invites spending time outdoors. How do you choose suitable activities so that they are safe and fun for your baby?
The importance of play and activities for an infant's development in the first months of life
Every game is a new stimulus that can support certain skills of your child. It is necessary to understand the individual areas of development — gross and fine motor skills, communication skills, emotional and social intelligence, which can be positively influenced by play at an early age.
With the right choice of games, you can support, for example, gross motor skills through crawling or climbing, fine motor skills through grasping various objects, or social interaction through communication during play. Each specific activity can significantly contribute to your child's healthy growth and optimal development.
Parent and sibling interactions also play a big role. For children, contact with loved ones is absolutely essential—you provide them with a sense of security and a positive stimulus for discovering new skills and the world around them.
What parents should keep in mind before starting outdoor activities
On the one hand, there are ideal conditions for outdoor play; on the other, it is necessary to be extra careful in several areas. The first essential issue is sun protection. Children's skin is very sensitive, so regularly use high-SPF sunscreen and choose suitable children's clothing with UV protection.
It's also important to think about proper hydration. Infants cannot yet clearly show whether they are thirsty, so it is crucial to check them regularly. Infants younger than six months who are exclusively breastfed generally do not need additional fluids, unlike older babies, to whom you can regularly offer drinks, such as water, during summer days.
Don't forget the risk of overheating or heatstroke. Avoid being outdoors during the strongest sun (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.).
Also keep in mind safety measures against insects, ticks, or minor injuries. Consider quality repellents suitable for babies, use mosquito nets or protective covers for the stroller, and appropriate clothing made of light yet sufficiently covering materials.
Ideal activities for infants during summer
Summer is a great time for the natural development of a child's motor skills. For infants who are beginning to creep or crawl, grass is a suitable place—it encourages natural movements, the blades of grass stimulate skin receptors, and the baby learns to practice movement outdoors.
Fine motor skills are best practiced by grasping different textures, shapes, and toys. It's a great time for water play, soft balls, safe rings, or plush toys of different shapes. These stimulate grip and finger coordination in a pleasant and safe way.
Infants perceive the surrounding world primarily through their senses. Sensory play, such as playing in the sand or touching flowers and pebbles (always under adult supervision), supports the development of their nervous system. Give your baby plenty of varied yet safe textures and stimuli.
In summer, auditory and olfactory experiences are popular—birds, wind in the leaves of trees, the scent of the sea, flowers, or grass are new and interesting experiences for children's senses. Let your baby experience nature with all their senses; just always be mindful of their safety. If you choose sensory toys, pick those that are safe and meant for the youngest children, such as special sensory books, textures, or rubber toys filled with water.