Developing mats
The developing mat is a soft playground, complemented by various bright components: toys, soft obstacles, hard elements.
Types of developing mats
In a certain age period, the product helps the development of certain skills.
Category from zero to three months
Developing mats for newborns are equipped with soft sides or rollers that protect children from injury. Many models are completed with colored soft arcs, on which bright toys are hung.
Game elements are placed at a height of about 30 cm.
Category from three to six months
Designed to develop coordination of movements. Toys on the arches are placed in such a way that the child has the opportunity to reach out and grab them with their handles. Bright elements are laid out along the edge of the playing field so that the child makes attempts to crawl to the toy.
Category six to nine months
At this age, the child can study bright images on the carpet, get acquainted with colors and geometric shapes. Musical rugs contribute to the development of hearing and memory.
Category nine to twelve months
The developing center is used as a playground, a place for gymnastic exercises and dances. Classes on a soft playground contribute to the physical development of the child.
Category from one year and older
In addition to playing sports and dancing, the developing mat can be used as a tent by throwing a blanket over the arcs. Such a game teaches a small child to spend time on his own, to captivate himself with some kind of activity.
By type of material There are three types of development mats:
- Textile. For the manufacture of natural cotton fabrics of different textures are used: smooth, thin, fleecy, dense.
- EVA mats made of foamed polyethylene or porous rubber. The play and development area is characterized by a ribbed rough structure.
Hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly materials are used for production.
- Combined. They consist of different materials – oilcloth, textiles, plastic, foil fabric.
By type of construction The following types of children’s developmental rugs are distinguished:
- standard;
- rugs with arcs;
- bilateral;
- carpets-transformers;
- musical;
- puzzle mats;
- house rug.
Standard mats
Sewn from a dense multi-colored material, inside of which a layer of insulation is laid. Classic children’s rugs have a rectangular, round or square shape. Some models can be made in the form of animals or fairy-tale characters.
Rugs with arches
A characteristic feature is the presence of arcs on which various toys are hung. Most models are equipped with side limiters. As the child grows, the sides fold out, thereby increasing the playing area.
There are models of children’s developing playgrounds with soft and hard arcs on the market.
In the first case, arched structures are designed for hanging game elements, in the second case, they not only perform the specified function, but also act as a support for a baby who is learning to stand up on his own.
Bilateral
Both sides of the product are front. Each of them uses different patterns. Models are designed for different age categories, for example, one side is for children under the age of one year, the other – from 12 months and older.
Carpets-transformers
They have the ability to transform into a portable bag or a toy box. A waterproof fabric is used for the manufacture, the products are equipped with two external loops.
To convert the mat into a carrying case, just pull the loops.
Musical
Children’s development centers equipped with a built-in music panel. It can be made in the form of keys or musical toys.
Rug-house
Consists of two main parts:
- soft base;
- rigid frame.
Depending on how the frame is attached to the soft base, the design of the children’s rug may look like a traditional playhouse or a labyrinth path.
Puzzle mats
Designed for children aged one year and older, they consist of separate modules that can be folded like puzzles. Rugs are made of special environmentally friendly PVC materials.
Functions
Play mats develop the following skills:
- logical thinking;
- coordination of movements;
- fine motor skills;
- tactile sensations;
- color perception;
- touch;
- hearing;
- memory;
- physical development;
- purposefulness;
- aesthetic development.
Equipment
The following accessories are used to complete the developmental play mats for children:
- rattles;
- foil mirror;
- rustler toys;
- soft books – rag products on the pages of which animals are depicted,
- numbers or letters attached with Velcro;
- squeaker toys – fabric toys in the shape of an animal, inside of which a squeaker is placed;
- interactive toys – musical and luminous;
- teethers – products made of dense rubber that facilitate the process of teething the first teeth;
- soft toys filled with sand, buttons, balls, cereals.
The accessories used to complete the developmental playing surfaces also include:
- pockets;
- lightning;
- Velcro;
- buttons;
- lacing.
Pros and cons of development mats
Advantages
- Portability – the product folds easily, does not take up much space, the accessory can be taken with you for walks or for a visit.
- Practicality – the mattress with insulation is soft and warm, the baby will not freeze when playing on the floor.
- Developing functions – the mat stimulates the mental development of the child, develops sensory feelings.
disadvantages
The negative aspects of using play mats for the development of children include the fact that children quickly lose interest in the playground, especially for mobile kids.
How to choose a development mat
When choosing a playground for the development of a child, the following points are taken into account:
- material of manufacture;
- the form;
- the size;
- quality and quantity of components;
- security.
materials
- Choose products made from natural materials or high quality moisture-resistant synthetics.
- The fabric should be easy to clean, be pleasant to the touch, hypoallergenic. An unpleasant odor should not come from the fabric.
- The wrong side of the playing surface should not be slippery.
- The colors of the soft base should not be too aggressive, natural, moderately bright colors should be preferred.
Build quality
Before buying, check that all elements of the playground are securely fastened. Small details (buttons, thin laces, buttons) must be firmly sewn on, the seams of the product must be even, uninterrupted.
The form
When choosing a product, you need to focus on the age of the child. For newborns, the best option would be a playground with hard sides. For older children, children’s rugs with soft folding sides are suitable.
The size
When choosing a developmental rug, be guided by the growth of the child and the size of the children’s room. On the market for children’s goods, developing play mats are presented in compact, medium and large sizes.
For compact models, the length of the largest side is no more than 100 cm. For medium-sized playgrounds, the length varies in the range of 100-150 cm. Large play mats – the length of the largest side is from 2 meters.
Components
Must be made of high quality and safe materials. When choosing a rug with electronic elements, you should give preference to models with removable toys. They should not be too small so that the child cannot accidentally swallow them.
When buying a music mat, pay attention that the melodies are pleasing to the ear, the music is not too loud, and it is possible to turn off the sound on the music module.
Security
When buying a playground for the development of a baby, ask the seller for a quality certificate for products.
Exploitation
- Before assembling the developmental playground, read the instruction manual that is included with the product.
- Before cleaning the product, remove toys, crossbars, rigid elements.
- You can wash the rug in the washing machine in the “delicate wash” mode with the addition of products intended for baby washing, do not use bleach. Dry the product in a straightened form.
- Arched structures and toys can be cleaned with soapy water, dried naturally in the air. Music modules are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or wiped with a damp soft cloth.
Recommendations for the operation of soft play centers equipped with electronic elements:
- Use batteries recommended by the product manufacturer.
- Do not mix old and new batteries in toys.
- Do not install different types of chargers.
- If the electronic product will not be used for a long period of time, remove the batteries from the battery compartment.
Guarantee
The guarantee for developing mats is provided for a period of 14 days. The manufacturer’s warranty card serves as confirmation of the warranty obligations.
If defects and malfunctions are found that have arisen through the fault of the manufacturer, the goods can be returned or replaced during the warranty period.
Manufacturers of educational mats
Balio
The representative of the Chinese brand Balio in the Russian Federation is the Rubicon company. The company specializes in the production of electronic products for children.
The catalog includes two models of compact developmental mats with arches for children in the age group from 3 months and older. The package includes soft hanging musical toys, rattles, a safe mirror.
Bright Starts
The company’s developers regularly conduct consumer market research, improve their products in accordance with market demand, and introduce innovations.
The Bright Starts catalog includes 13 models of developmental play mats: round playgrounds, square and rectangular, with and without sides, with and without arcs.
fisher price
The American company Fisher Price specializes in the production of toys and play accessories for children.
Musical development centers are represented by the following models:
- “Zoo” – designed for children from the first days of life up to one year, the main element of the developing center is an arc with light music, the product set includes three rattles. The fastening of the arc is made in the form of small animals.
- “Friends from the rainforest” – age group from 0 to 1 year, the music center kit includes a flower-shaped mirror: when the baby hits the mirror, the music turns on. The package includes rattles, a teething flower, soft toys.
- “Piano” – the site is equipped with a musical module made in the shape of a piano. The set includes five hanging toys and a mirror.
Infantino
The American brand offers the consumer safe and high-quality products for newborns.
The puzzle mat from Infantino consists of six segments of different colors, made of environmentally friendly polyethylene foam, each module depicts a geometric figure.
One of the most popular models in the Infantino line is the Grow Together gaming center. The entertainment area is made in the shape of a turtle, the product can be used in two versions:
- a soft zone for the development of the child, equipped with arcs and removable hanging toys;
- a compact arena, fenced with a net and filled with bright colored balls.
Leader Kids
The company offers playgrounds made in the form of a flower, animals, traditional round and rectangular products. Lider Kids rugs are made of natural materials, all models are equipped with arches.
Smoby
The range of the brand includes a huge number of toys for children of different ages. The product line includes several models of inflatable developmental mats.
For the manufacture of play areas for French manufacturers use a combination of plastic and textiles, inflatable models are equipped with arches with toys.
Taf Toys
The company’s catalog contains play mats that contribute to the mental and physical development of the child. Models are equipped with arched structures on which components are attached.
In the Taf Toys product line, you can find educational platforms with bumpers and pillows.
Tiny Love
The Tiny Love line includes more than 20 models of educational playgrounds for children aged 0 to 2 years. The catalog contains standard models, musical rugs, rugs with arcs, rollers and sides.
All materials are dermatologically tested, plastic elements are tested for toxicity and durability.
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