For parents with small children, bath time can be one of the most challenging parts of the day. But did you know that bath time has many cognitive and emotional benefits for your baby? By taking the time to give your little one a nightly bath, you could be helping them to develop important life skills. The time spent in the tub is a crucial part of your child's development. It allows them to engage all their senses and encourages their brain to really focus and pay attention, helping with cognitive function as well.
So, what are the cognitive and emotional benefits of bath time for your baby?
One of the most important benefits of bath time for babies is that it promotes bonding between parent and child. This is because the number one rule of bath time is to always have eyes on your baby, so parents have the opportunity to talk and play with their child without any distractions. Bath time also allows parents to teach their babies about hygiene in an engaging way. Additionally, bath time can be used to soothe infants and small children and to help them relax.
Bath time also has many crucial cognitive benefits for babies. Splashing around in the water helps baby to develop their hand-eye coordination and learning how to use soap and shampoo can help them develop their fine motor skills. There are numerous bath time play activities that can introduce your little one's mind to mathematics and scientific concepts. Concepts like volume can be taught by simple acts such as filling up cups or experimenting with different toys and objects to see if they sink or float.
It can also be a great opportunity to encourage language development by introducing new words and concepts to your baby. For example, parents can point out different body parts as they wash them, or they can describe the different textures and colours of the shampoo and soap. Use rich vocabulary, even when they're very young, like "drip," "spray," "pour," "drizzle," "splash," and "slippery."
Finally, bath time can also help your little one to wind down before bedtime. The warm water and gentle massage from soap bubbles can help to relax babies and make them feel drowsy. This is why many parents choose to give their children a bath right before bedtime.
How to make the most out of bath time
Here are our top tips for making bath time a comfortable and enjoyable experience for both you and your baby.
- Pick a time of day when your little one is calm, as opposed to when they are tired or hungry.
- If the room is cold, warm it up with a space heater to make it more comfortable.
- Introduce new toys to the bath.
- Take it slow. Some babies don't like getting their hair or face wet.
- Have everything you need ready, fresh clothes, towels, and nappy so that you are not scrambling during and after bath time.
- Avoid uncomfortable aches and pains by using our elbow and knee pads. The mesh compartments are great for storing toys, and the thick cushions are guaranteed to make bath time more enjoyable and relaxing for you.