Age Appropriate Toys for 0-3-Month-Olds
Every interaction for your newborn baby is a learning experience choosing the right toys can help stimulate your baby's development.
Congratulations on your newly born bundle of joy! We know you’re exhausted and getting used to life with a new baby. Baby wants to eat and sleep a lot at this point, but there are still times they are looking for entertainment. Every interaction is a learning experience for your child, and I am going to share some toys and ideas that are extra stimulating for your baby’s development.
This is a great age range to introduce lots and lots of good sensory input. Baby will be learning to focus on you with their gaze and they will start to listen to what you have to say. I like to consider this the “low-tech” age, because it does not take much to entertain your child. Soothing music, talking to babe, and reading books to baby will stimulate their auditory sense in positive ways as well as aid in developing language. White Noise machines may help baby fall asleep or stay asleep during their many naps. Babies also love to receive vestibular (movement) input through gentle rocking, swaying, and carrying baby. It is particularly important to start tummy time with baby even from week one because of the body awareness input it promotes and the strengthening it provides.
Closer to 3 months old an activity mat is a great investment to entertain baby. They will love looking up at the toys hanging down, and this will promote baby to begin reaching up to try and grab toys. Black and White books will hold baby’s attention so they can try and figure out what they are seeing along with mirror toys. This and rattles are great toys to promote lengthening the time in tummy time and for improving visual tracking. Bonus points if the rattles are a soft texture for tactile input!
You can always be creative with picking or buying toys. At this range think about stimulating baby’s senses, like visual and auditory, and toys that will promote reaching and kicking. Stay safe and always supervise your babies!
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![We’ve loved seeing your stories roll in over the past couple weeks and wanted to share one of our own, thanks to therapists Lauren & Maya and their friend Tiffany. ❤️
Last week, OT Ms. Lauren and ST Ms. Maya accompanied Tiffany on a HUGE adventure, attending the Special Needs Camp of Kentucky for activities, friendship, and growth ? Headquartered in Bath County, SNCKI is free to attend, with nearly 100 campers enrolled this year! Ms. Lauren shared her thoughts with the HTP team when she got home: “The other campers welcomed [Tiffany] with open arms, and she made so many new friends…A space where 76 teens/adults with disabilities of all kinds were free to just be them and make those connections with each other while having tons of fun. We have had moments that were trickier to navigate, but we did it together.”
One of the nights was family and community night, featuring a group dance and a talent showcase. ?Lauren said, “The amount of love and support in the gym was out of this world. For her mom to see that, to know that we’ve got her girl no matter what, means more than any treatment code or note I could ever write. She is already asking when she gets to come back…and even told her mom to ‘buy a new house at camp’? If you are not already, follow Special Needs Connections of Kentucky, Inc on facebook. They are doing such AMAZING things for our community here and deserve so much support.” ? We couldn’t agree more!
Therapy isn’t about treatment codes, billable hours, documentation, or recertification. It’s about the meaningful moments and the love we pour into these children every single day. This is why Hogg Therapy exists—to give every child the opportunity to experience a meaningful, joyful life. ✨ Thank you, Lauren and Maya for your support both in and outside of the clinic and for sharing this story! ?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/747807719_18212073508337241_9129116297997701917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=tCWn73_5rtkQ7kNvwGLq5vQ&_nc_oc=AdrJFFRvJXP0QShHiR05Sed8Oum80RhI1efFnfJ2urbRTE4RZl2xYa8up2_49cMjBVw&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=hN7U9zmYsClHsH74PaYyDg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQFHcNjX_pdx8TkfAsJpruTqaT6_QY8DaNJV7cThkMtUIQp9_mH_Zy6VH5dxqyJ6_eXWsp67oNAKsw&oh=00_AQFr8rVQyOf_NoyD922ae4CmA9QoYv5lNTF80_qL-XPMkA&oe=6A72E64A)
![We’re sharing an occupational therapy success story from OT Mrs. Abby today! ? Meet Grayson! When he first started occupational therapy, everyday life felt hard. He was experiencing significant picky eating, struggled with daily routines and transitions, and had a difficult time managing big emotions.
Since then, Grayson has put in so much hard work. Through OT, he has built confidence, strengthened his self-regulation skills, and learned to take on new and challenging tasks with courage. Every small step has added up to something truly amazing! One of the biggest reasons for Grayson’s success has been the incredible partnership with his parents. They fully embraced therapy beyond the clinic by consistently practicing strategies at home through his Home Exercise Program (HEP). Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to try new approaches have made all the difference.
Today, Grayson is trying new foods every week, navigating daily routines with greater independence, and enjoying more successful, joyful moments with his family. His growth is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined child, committed caregivers, and a supportive therapy team work together.
?Congratulations, Grayson! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we’re celebrating your amazing parents, too. Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork are inspiring! ?
[This story & all photos shared with parent permission ??] #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #feedingtherapy](https://scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/742695277_18211398901337241_3568386461214310976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=ZuMQwTXiLRAQ7kNvwFZNIqu&_nc_oc=AdqckfoUuaJc4py9qSI9MFHSB_5EXMkWbAkk7wuZZgf3pqJgha0l4O172NwulEkoMzY&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=hN7U9zmYsClHsH74PaYyDg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQEjIR-YOUDE2KLD9M8SjOjAhvZ_J131qzkUOgf1nppRe89yKmj_t1WQWp0jGV4ckZSd6JooeGPBYQ&oh=00_AQEsSUw9m2Mzizxg3Ha_y0ayklCYXgPDJBYzjlbUDvyIBQ&oe=6A72C4CE)
