Messy Play on a Cookie Tray: Whipped Cream
This activity is for babies 6 months and up.
Squish…Smoosh…Splash! Babies enjoy the thrill of making a mess, and it's good for their development! Learning through sensory exploration comes naturally to babies; messy play encourages curiosity as babies explore and make sense of the world by using their five senses.
What is messy play?
Water, grass, babies exploring their food - these are a few of the things that make messy play! This type of play has wonderful benefits. Not only does it enhance an infant's cognitive skills, but it can also improve their physical development. For example, messy play allows babies to explore new textures and manipulate different materials through touch. In addition, as babies squish and squeeze textures with their hands and fingers, they are developing their fine-motor skills - the same little movements and muscles in their hands used to hold cutlery and eventually control a pencil. In short, messy play is totally worth your time and a fun experience for baby!
You can introduce messy play to your infant around six or seven months, and it doesn't have to be complicated. Look for simple yet safe textures that your baby can put in their mouth. Although this is not the point, taste testing will most likely be part of the experience. One of my favourite textures to use for messy play with babies is whipped cream. Here is a fun way to introduce your baby to messy play. All you need is a cookie tray and some whipped cream!
Materials:
cookie tray
whipped cream
a towel or a vinyl table cloth
How to set up a messy play cookie tray experience:
Pick a time of day when your infant is not tired or hungry
Have spare clothes or a towel near you
Spread out your towel or vinyl table cloth on the floor
Add a dollop or two of whipped cream to the cookie tray
Now let your infant have fun, but remember always to supervise your infant during this activity
Adding more fun:
If you want to hold babies interest a bit longer, try adding plastic balls or bath toys half way through the activity.
This activity can also be enjoyed outside in warmer months!
Lorena Arauz,OCT, RECE, CIMI
Parent Support Coach