Bath time is a wonderful way to end a long, tiring day not just for adults but for your little one, too. Bath time is an excellent way to wind down and get your little one squeaky clean! Adding bath toys to the routine could also help with their development.
Pros of bath time with bath toys
1. Quality time
Be it with parents or caregivers, bath time promotes uninterrupted, quality time with the little one as parents/caregivers need to give undivided attention to keeping the baby safe. Parents who spend time with their baby during their bath can converse with them, read to them, sing, play, and more. A distraction-free time like this encourages bonding and meaningful interactions, which could help with their rapid-developing brain.
2. Early maths & science learning
Filling and dumping cups expose your little one to the simple concept of volumes - more, less, empty, and full. They could also learn to count the cups while also experimenting with whether objects float or sink in the water.
3. Fine motor development
Playing, touching, and splashing with squeeze toys or sponges encourages your child's fine motor skills.
4. Sensory development
Bathtime play gives your baby's tactile sense a lot of attention - feeling the water on the skin, learning to identify different temperatures (warm and cold), and being touched while you wash or dry them.
5. Encourage organization ability
Bath time with bath toys encourages your child to understand the importance of cleaning and organization before bed. Shower time could get messy and once your child gets used to seeing you cleaning up after they finished showering and playing, they can take the organizational ability with them as they grow.
Here are some bath toys you can find on our website.
Marcus & Marcus Silicone Character Bath Toys
Cheekaaboo Colour Changing Bath Book
Yookidoo Spin N Sort Spout Pro
Hape Toys Musical Whale Fountain
Con of bath time with bath toys
The only disadvantage of bath toys is they can be a breeding ground for mold. Water and a source of carbon from bath soap equal mold. Since most if not all bath toys have small holes that make them fun for children to squirt water but also make them almost impossible to get all of the water out. Unless you carefully dry each of the bath toys after your child's baths the toys will eventually grow mold.
What to do if you find mold?
Other than throwing the toys away, you may consider soaking them in a mixture of bleach and water overnight and letting them air dry. If you don't see or smell any mold on/in the toy it is safe to go back in the bath, however, do watch out for any mold regrowth.
