An infant movement area is just a fancy way of describing a safe and defined spot for floor play. You may hear the term used frequently in early childhood education communities, such as Montessori or RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) because setting one up for a baby is a direct means of supporting their development.
Benefits of floor play during baby’s first year
An infant movement area supports free movement in both non-mobile and mobile babies. It can be introduced from birth and supports a progression of movement skills, such as:
0-3 months:intro to tummy time and visual tracking of mobiles
3-6 months:advanced tummy time, rolling, kicking, batting, and grasping
6-9 months:scooting, planking, rolling, transitioning to sitting
9-12 months:crawling, pulling up to stand, cruising
Rethinking how babies play
A movement area is a helpful reframe to counter assumptions that baby gear is how babies play. Baby gear implies that babies crave containment. When we look at how babies develop, they actually crave movement! So, having a defined space to prioritize floor play makes it easier to support baby’s physical milestones in the entire first year! Movement during play also supports cognitive, social, and emotional development.
How to set one up
An infant movement area can be set up anywhere in your home, but it should ideally be located where you naturally spend time. Babies play best when they know you’re near.
Once you’ve picked a room, you’ll need:
A floor mat or rug for a soft, safe landing. A blanket can also be used, but it can become difficult if the fabric gets bunched up under baby’s knees and legs as they get more mobile.
A way to store a small selection of their current toys along the mat or rug. You can use a low play shelf or a few baskets/trays.
A shatterproof floor mirror. This motivates longer stretches of playtime and also helps babies get a bigger view of the room before they can crawl to explore more!
If your baby is past the newborn stage and you’re considering a movement area, you are by no means late. Supporting movement gets quite fun and engaging between months 4 and 6! Give it a go!