Baby Einstein Sensory Play Space Newborn-to-Toddler Discovery Gym and Play Mat, Ages Newborn +

Area of the mat to focus on from 0+ months

Areas of development:Neck, Core, and Arm Strength; Vision

What to do:Keep baby engaged and motivated during tummy time with high-contrast colors and new sounds and textures. Notice how your baby’s facial expression changes when Mom touches the textured tentacles of the octopus. As you approach Month 3 together, encourage visual development by introducing the high-contrast prop pillow to tummy time. Because baby can only see black, white & gray first, high-contrast objects help their little eyes adjust to the world around them.

Area of the mat to focus on from 3+ months

Areas of development:Touch

What to do:Place your little one on their tummy and encourage them to reach for and grip the colorful tags. Gently run their fingers along the different textured strips and see how they react to the unique sensations of each.

Area of the mat to focus on from 6+ months

Areas of development:Mouth Exploration, Fine Motor Skills

What to do:Use the grasp and hook play features to encourage grasping. As baby practices hooking them onto the ribbon, name their colors and shapes out loud to help connect the dots between what they’re touching and what you’re saying.

Area of the mat to focus on from 9+ months

Areas of development:Concept of “Where” What to do:Play peekaboo with the red bird finger puppet, hiding it behind your back, and then revealing it again once your little one starts looking for it. To build listening skills, show baby that the bird makes a chirping sound, hide the bird, and watch them track the sound. These exercises help baby discover that just because an object is out of sight, that doesn’t mean it is gone. To introduce the idea of “in and out,” place the bird in its pocket. Ask baby, “Where did the bird go?” and encourage them to look for it. Once they find the partly hidden bird, try hiding it under a blanket to grow their curiosity beyond the mat.