Water play at bath time with babies and young children

When babies have a bath they usually enjoy the freedom and the swirling of the water around them.

Ideas:

• With a very young baby, while supporting their head with your lower arm, with the other hand squeeze drops of water from a flannel or sponge onto their tummy while talking to them.
• Watch their reaction as they feel the trickling water on their tummy.
• With older babies who can sit up in the bath, try a variety of containers and objects some of which float and sink.  Objects can include spoons, empty drinks bottles to fill and empty, colander or sieve or a clean plastic plant pot to watch the water trickle through while you fill and lift it.

You don't have to go out and buy lots of bath toys.  Look around your house, you'll be amazed at what you can find that's safe and free!

Water play helps babies to:

• Get to know about themselves
• Enjoy the freedom of being in the bath with no nappy on
• Explore how water behaves as it surrounds and supports them while with you at all times
• Have fun with you

It's a great time to sing with them too......5 little ducks when swimming one day.

Here's a selection of everyday items I found to have fun with:

• Ice cream scoop - to scoop and pour
• Set of measuring cups (large, medium and small)
• Measuring spoon
• plastic medicine syringe (never used) tickles toes with the short blasts of water
• Rubber glove - these are brilliant with small pin pricks placed in the fingers.  Fill with water and then use as a water gun!  Great stress relievers too (tried and tested). PLEASE BE AWARE: Many children now have serious allergies to latex.  Check before hand!
• Water proof pot to hold it all in.  The best bit is when your child gets a little fed up with the items, you can change them easily.  Add colanders, sieves, sponges, spoons, empty plastic bottles...the list is endless.

Have fun : )