2 The importance of floor play

Many babies spend a lot of time in ‘containers’ – like car seats, buggies and bouncing chairs – that can limit their opportunities to move freely. Spending time on the floor gives them the opportunity to explore their full range of movement, in a place where they can practise, investigate, and challenge themselves. When they are lying on their back, babies can lift up their legs and grab their feet, a movement which helps to strengthen their core and also promotes the proprioceptive sense that you looked at in Week 1.

When babies are on their tummies in a prone position they are strengthening their neck, back and arm muscles, and this position gives opportunity for visual development as they focus on the world around them. Being on the floor helps to strengthen and tone muscle development; it promotes balance and it enables babies to start to move by themselves. The figure below shows two resource cards produced by Early Years Wales (in English and Welsh) that give parents information about the importance of tummy time and ideas about how to provide it.

Early Years Wales has developed a number of programmes designed to support movement in babies and toddlers. The activity cards below are a part of a wider series. The resources are intended to encourage confident, informed support for young children’s physical growth through everyday activities and play. For more information and to access the full range of materials, visit the Early Years Wales website