Each parent is worried about the proper development of his child and his safety. Children are quite active, so they can get a bruise, scratch or drive a splinter during the game. It is very important that the baby does not injure himself while learning about the world. Here, a developing mat will come to the aid of every mother. How old is it to use? Today, there are many models designed for the smallest children and for older kids.
What is a developmental mat?
The design is a soft pad. It is equipped with additional objects in the form of obstacles, soft toys and various hard devices that allow you to engage in strength exercises.
Verified manufacturers make rugs from bright natural materials. They are pleasant to the touch and do not irritate the child. The fabric may be different in texture. Also on the rug you can find loops, strings, musical elements and much more. All this helps the child to develop, learn about the world and have fun.
Design advantages
Before you figure out how old to use a developmental mat, you should understand what advantages it differs.
The arguments in favor of this design are as follows:
- It has a positive effect on the coordination of fine motor skills. The toy is designed in such a way that you can place a lot of bright objects and rattles on it. Thanks to this, children will touch certain objects with their pens, and in some cases even reach for a toy they like. This “makes” the baby make new movements. The child becomes more self-confident and quickly proceeds to the next stage of development. And all this happens without much effort on the part of the parents.
- Promotes the development of color perception due to colorful colors. During the game, the baby's attention is concentrated on bright spots, he begins to peer into different shades and forms at this moment the skill of color perception on a subconscious level. In the future, it will be much easier for a child to learn to distinguish colors.
- Favorably affects the development of initial speech in a natural way, and also develops social skills. The kid, keen on objects located on the rug, begins to babble gradually, and independently.
- Allows the young mother to relax a bit, freeing up her free time.
The developing rug is an indispensable and useful toy for every baby. Moreover, with a shortage of funds, you can make it yourself. When choosing a specific model, the age and needs of the child should be taken into account.
Popular models
Before answering the question of how old a developmental mat for children can be purchased, it is necessary to consider popular models. Each of them has its own characteristics.
Classical This model is made of dense material and is equipped with a heater from the inside. Thanks to this, the baby playing on the mat does not freeze. The sizes of such toys are different, therefore, when choosing, it is necessary to take into account the age of the crumbs. In the manufacture of the design, bright fabrics are used, which stimulates the child's vision. Toys located on the rug contribute to the development of fine motor skills, and due to the fact that they sound differently, the child develops hearing. The classic model is suitable even for a newborn.
Transformer. This toy is especially relevant for those parents who travel often. In the manufacture of the rug, a waterproof fabric is used, inside of which a heater is installed. This allows you to spread the product even on the ground. In this case, the child will not freeze and will feel comfortable. A feature of this design is that it can easily be transformed into a roomy bag. Outside the model there are two loops for which you should pull - they will turn into long handles, and the mat will fold.
Model with arcs. A feature of such a carpet is that game arcs are located on it. This is a kind of prototype mini gym that allows the child to develop physically. At what age is this type of developmental mat used? As a rule, it is used during the first year of a baby’s life, at first the child lies, examining bright objects, begins to roll over, and then sits down. Some models have battery-powered toys, as well as a music panel that aids in hearing development. So, after hitting an object, a sound is made that symbolizes it. Toys are suspended on arcs.
How to choose a development mat?
How to choose a children's developmental mat and at what age to use it? When deciding to make a purchase, you need to pay attention to the following factors:
- Material. It must be natural and not cause allergies, and not contain harmful dyes.
- It is advisable to choose a soft design so that the baby does not hit during the game.
- There cannot be small parts on a good rug, otherwise children can swallow them.
- The rug with arcs is more entertaining for the child.
- Carpet upholstery should be removable for washing without problems.
- In a good model, the bottom surface does not slip.
There are also bilateral models that will not let the baby get bored. For newborns, one side is used, and for older children, the second.
At what age is it used?
Many parents are interested in the question of at what age a developmental mat can be used, and whether the purchase will not be premature. In fact, you can use the design in the first month of a child’s life. It will become a fascinating game world and will encourage the baby to explore.
Choosing the right model depending on age
When choosing a specific model, it is necessary to take into account that at different periods of life, the crumbs need accessories of different quality and functions. So:
- When choosing a model for a child under the age of 3 months, it is necessary to pay attention to its safety and convenience. During this period, the baby does not need a large number of bright objects. It is enough to use only a few toys that are suspended on arcs.
- If the child is 4 to 6 months old, it is best to move the toys away from the center away to stimulate the baby to crawl. During this period, the baby already recognizes itself in reflection, so you can choose a model that is equipped with a mirror.
- The baby, whose age varies between 6-9 months, is sure to be carried away by the sounds of the environment. A child who is more than six months old needs to choose models equipped with sound and light accompaniment.
- After 10 months, children are no longer interested in just looking at toys while lying down. At this age, a miracle rug can be used as a dance floor, gymnastics area or tent-house.
- If the baby is more than one and a half years old, various orthopedic elements, letters of the alphabet and much more can be sewn onto the mat.
Many parents are interested in the question of how old a developmental mat is. There are no clear boundaries, But, as a rule, after one and a half to two years, the baby becomes independent and begins to learn the world in other ways.
The best options for the baby
Here are the most popular models that are sure to be useful for each crumbs:
- Tiny Love Zoo. Very comfortable developmental mat. At what age can I buy? Such a product is intended for babies from birth, it is equipped with arcs and protective sides. As the child grows, they can be removed. This carpet is easy to fold and takes up little space. You can take it with you on a visit or on a trip. The advantage of the product is that it allows the baby not only to develop fine motor skills, but also to study natural phenomena. The design is made in a bright style and has images of different animals and plants. Many sound toys are suspended from the arches of the mat.
- Fisher-price. On the market are different models of developing rugs of this company. Thanks to them, the kid studies the flora and fauna of different parts of the planet. Very common models are called "Hot Africa", "Tropical Forest", "Blue Pond" and "Safari". At what age can a development mat be used from this company? As a rule, it will be interesting for children who are already six months old.
If the baby is already a year old, it is best for him to choose a puzzle mat with a thematic focus. Elements of such a product are laid out on the floor and assembled. First, an adult should help the child.
Instructions for use
To prevent accidents, the child should play on the mat under adult supervision. Nor should he sleep there. Place the product only on the floor, color side up. After that, crossbars with toys are installed on the carpet. The fabric loops are downward.
Each bar is equipped with a hook. It must be inserted into the loop at the bottom of the carpet and secured. In this case, the arcs are parallel or crosswise. Each rug is equipped with its own parts for assembly. It is important to follow the instructions that accompany it.
Important! Do not place the structure on a chair, table or sofa. Otherwise, it may turn over, and the child will be injured. The mat, regardless of model, is installed only on a flat floor.
Mom, who decided to use a developmental mat (at what age can this be done, we already figured out), should worry about the safety of her baby.
Some useful tips
Parents who do not have the means to purchase a finished rug can make this miracle device with their own hands. The main thing here is to decide on the design by inventing it yourself or by looking at photos of some models on the Internet.
After that, you should choose a non-slip fabric for the bottom surface and soft material for the top. As a heater, a synthetic winterizer is suitable. Next, a pattern of blanks is made, and then the base of the structure, the insulation and the upper part are sewn using a sewing machine. Previously, all details need to be swept away.
At the last stage, toys and other elements are sewn. The arcs are made of lightweight material and sheathed for softness. On them you can hang additional toys, bright shreds and tweeters. A self-made toy will save the family budget and will be no worse than the finished product. The main thing is to show imagination.
It does not matter at what age a developing mat is needed for a child, however, he will definitely like both newborn baby and older children.