Visual stimulation is an important part of a newborn's development. As infants begin to explore the world around them, their visual senses are critical for understanding their surrounding environment. We explore the benefits of visual stimulation for newborns and how Montessori principles can help throughout this process.
The Benefits of Sensory and Visual Stimulation for Newborns
Visual stimulation is essential for a newborn's development. When babies are born, their visual systems are still developing, and they can only see several inches in front of them. Over time, they will begin to develop the ability to see objects at a greater distance.
“Visual stimulation can help newborns develop their visual acuity, depth perception, and ability to track.”
It can also promote cognitive development, as infants learn to recognize and categorize different shapes, colours, and patterns.
In addition to these cognitive benefits, visual stimulation can also help soothe newborns and, in turn, promote better sleep. Soothing, calm environments provide a calming effect, which can help babies relax and drift off to sleep.
Montessori Principles of Sensory and Visual Stimulation
“Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child to open up himself to life.”~ Maria Montessori
Montessori methods of visual stimulation for newborns focus on providing babies with a safe and engaging environment that promotes exploration and discovery. Some of the key principles of Montessori visual stimulation for babies include:
Providing age-appropriate toys and activities
Montessori toys and activities are designed to meet the developmental needs of each stage of a baby's growth. For newborns, this means providing toys that are black and white, have simple patterns and are comprised of thick, bold lines. For example, The Gallery, a Montessori sensory image gallery that clips onto the roof of a pram, co-designed with a Montessori accredited UK paediatrician, Dr. E. Roosinovich.
For infants, this means providing activities that are easy to grasp and manipulate, such as rattles, mobiles, and soft toys, and be colourful with contrasting patterns.
There is a plethora of toys for newborns and babies on the market that are designed largely to ‘distract’ the baby and occupy their attention so much – similar to screens – that infants become over-stimulated in a short period of time.
Creating a calm and peaceful environment
Montessori environments are designed to be calm and peaceful (Aim Montessori Teaching), which can help babies feel more relaxed and focused. This can be achieved by using natural materials, such as wood and cotton, and by minimizing clutter and distractions.
Encouraging exploration and discovery about the environment
Montessori methods are intended to promote self-directed learning, through allowing babies to explore and discover their environment at their own pace. Oftentimes, this can be done through providing a safe, open space for babies to move around and explore, and by introducing new toys and activities as they become developmentally appropriate.
Using real-life objects and images
Montessori methods emphasize the use of real-life objects, such as wooden spoons. This is because real-life objects are more tactile and sensory, which can encourage exploration and promote a baby's cognitive development.
Incorporating nature into everyday life
Montessori environments often incorporate natural materials, such as plant-based materials and high use of natural light in the day to day, which can help babies connect with the natural world and promote a sense of calm and well-being.
All in all, visual stimulation is crucial for newborns' growth and development, and Montessori methods offer a safe and engaging environment for babies to explore and discover their surroundings.
By Dr. I. Perkins, Founder of Eyas, UK trained physician
If you’re trying to conceive (TTC), you probably know that there are certain foods and nutrients that become especially important once you’re pregnant. But nutrition plays a vital role even when trying to conceive, much like laying a strong foundation before constructing a house.
Certain nutrients create that foundation by supporting egg and sperm health (yes, nutrition matters for both partners), hormone balance and creating a hospitable environment for a fertilized egg to implant. In fact, studies show that certain nutrients can help increase fertility and improve success rates for both natural conception and fertility treatments.
In other words, nutrition is a key player in the TTC journey, but getting the right nutrients in the right quantities can be tricky. That’s where supplements come in. Just as you’d take a multivitamin to fill in nutritional gaps for optimal health, fertility supplements can give you that extra nutrient boost.
Choosing supplements for your fertility journey
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
Founder of Eyas, UK trained physician
