Simple Tips

February 12, 2007 | Print

Naked Floor Time

Parents often ask us, how can I help my baby learn to roll over, sit up or crawl?

Our answer: Floor time, and even more important, naked floor time.

Babies love to be naked. They can feel their bodies better without clothes. The sensation leads them to explore new moves.

One evening, Kelly left 3 month old never-rolled-in-his-life Wyatt on a towel while she prepared his bath. Minutes later the boy was rolling across the room. For weeks Wyatt only rolled when naked.

Naked time can be anytime. We offer naked time before bath–after bath can be too stimulating if we’re working towards bedtime.

We make sure the room is warm, not drafty, and that our little ones aren’t too tired. We lay the babies on their backs on a sheet or large towel on the carpet. We’ve learned to keep an extra towel nearby in case of accidents. For older babies we put a few toys around them.

If we’re wary of the white plush carpeting at Grandma’s house, we leave on the diaper–it still sets the stage for exploration.

Materials:
Towels
Sheet or blanket (check out our favorite organic cotton play mat)
Naked baby

Age: 3 months and up

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