The Best Toy Is You: Simple Ways to Support Infant Development
Featuring Sarah Mycek
With Lauren Zatezalo, OT student, and Melissa O'Neal, OTR/L
On today's episode we talked with guest speaker Sarah all about how to actually play with your infant in a way that supports their overall development. We talk about tummy time, toy recommendations, and specific ways you can interact with your infant at different months.
About Sarah Mycek
Sarah Mycek is a pediatric occupational therapist and owner of Sensationally Balanced, an occupational therapy and natural wellness company. She has an extensive background in sensory processing disorders, motor coordination disorders, nutrition, and feeding. She is passionate about using a holistic wellness approach when working with families.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
- Tummy time is essential during wake windows. By 3 months old, babies should have 1.5 hours of cumulative tummy time within 24 hours. Good positions include the football hold, on your chest, or over a boppy pillow with a towel rolled under their chest.
- Limit container play such as bouncers, car seats, swings, and exersaucers. Change positions frequently to prevent flat head development and introduce a variety of different movement patterns.
- Prioritize face to face interactions. Infants can only see 8 to 12 inches in front of them, so get close. You are their favorite toy. Use mirrors, cardboard books, bubbles, black and white contrasting colors, singing, and your face during tummy time.
- Between 3 and 6 months, start introducing toys they can hold, play mats with hanging toys, and teethers for exploring textures. You can show and teach them movement patterns like rolling from back to tummy time.
- At 6 months and beyond, create a safe environment for crawling and exploration. Encourage rotation and reaching while sitting to build balance and core strength. Once walking begins, figure 8 or infinity walking supports both motor and visual skill development.
- Create a just right challenge: not too hard but not too easy. For example, if your baby has mastered sitting, scoot a toy just slightly outside their reach so they shift their weight, but not so far that they get frustrated. Little increments at a time.
Show Notes and Resources
Sarah Mycek, Sensationally Balanced (sensationallybalanced.com). Sarah on social media (@SensationallyBalanced). NAPA Center: Infant Activities (napacenter.org/infant-activities). Pathways.org Play Resources (pathways.org/play).
From This Episode
We all want to support our child's development, but with so many toys, products, and opinions out there, it can feel overwhelming to know what actually matters. What really supports development, and what is just noise? Prioritize face to face interactions. You are their favorite toy.
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