Types of educational mats
At a certain age, the product helps develop certain skills.
Category from zero to three months
Developmental mats for newborns are equipped with soft sides or bolsters that protect children from injury. Many models are equipped 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 can reach and grab them with his hands. Bright elements are laid out along the edge of the playing field so that the child tries to crawl to the toy.
Six to nine month category
At this age, the child can study bright images on the carpet, get acquainted with colors and geometric shapes. Musical rugs promote the development of hearing and memory.
Category nine to twelve months
The development center is used as a playground, a place for gymnastic exercises and dancing. Activities on a soft playground promote the physical development of the child.
Category one year and older
In addition to sports and dancing, the developmental mat can be used as a tent by throwing a blanket over the arches. This game teaches a small child to spend time independently and to engage himself in some activity.
Based on the type of material, there are three types of developmental mats:
- Textile . For production, natural cotton fabrics of different textures are used: smooth, thin, fleecy, dense.
- EVA mats made of foamed polyethylene or porous rubber.
The area for games and development 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.
Based on the type of design, the following types of children's educational mats are distinguished:
- standard;
- rugs with arcs;
- double sided;
- transformable carpets;
- musical;
- puzzle mats;
- rug house
Standard mats
Sewn from dense multi-colored material, inside of which there is a layer of insulation. Classic children's rugs have a rectangular, round or square shape. Some models can be made in the shape of animals or fairy-tale characters.
Rugs with arcs
A characteristic feature is the presence of arcs on which various toys are hung. Most models are equipped with limiter sides. As the child grows, the sides fold out, thereby increasing the playing area.
There are models of children's educational playgrounds with soft and hard arches on the market.
In the first case, the arched structures are intended for hanging play elements; in the second, they not only perform this function, but also act as a support for the baby, who is learning to stand up independently.
Double sided
Both sides of the product are front. Each of them uses different designs. The models are designed for different age categories, for example, one side is for children under one year of age, the other is from 12 months and older.
Transformable carpets
They have the ability to transform into a portable bag or toy box. Waterproof fabric is used for production; the products are equipped with two external loops.
Simply pull the loops to transform the mat into a carrying bag.
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 a children's rug can look like a traditional playhouse or a labyrinth path.
Puzzle rugs
Designed for children aged one year and older, they consist of separate modules that can be put together like puzzles. The rugs are made from special environmentally friendly PVC materials.
Criteria for choosing the best developmental mat
A bright play mat is an opportunity to create a small world around a child, full of amazing and useful things.
If the rug is chosen correctly, it will become a wonderful assistant to the mother in entertaining and developing her baby. When choosing the best developmental mat, “Price Expert” paid attention to:
Rug sizes. There are both small square and round rugs, and large models up to one and a half meters in length;
Materials from which educational mats are made. As a rule, these are natural fabrics or quick-drying synthetics;
Developmental opportunities: the presence of a mirror, bright toys, rattles, squeakers, rustling toys, teethers, texture elements.
Removable arches. They increase the developmental potential of the rug, since you can hang different toys on them. Important: the arcs must be stable; the ideal option is two arcs securely connected at the point of their contact.
Sides - turn the play area into a safe mini-playpen for the little ones. If necessary, the sides are folded out, increasing the size of the rug.
3-in-1 capabilities. In this case, the mat can be used not only as a bright play panel for visual and tactile perception, but also as a musical toy, and also as an addition to a crib (the arcs can be installed on the railings of the crib using fasteners).
Equipment
The following accessories are used to complete educational play mats for children:
- rattles;
- foil mirror;
- rustling 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;
- soft toys filled with sand, buttons, balls, cereals.
Accessories used to complete educational playing surfaces also include:
- pockets;
- lightning;
- Velcro;
- buttons;
- lacing.
Features of the use of educational mats depending on the age of the child.
Despite the assertion of most manufacturers that educational mats can be used for children from 0 (that is, from birth), parents should still know some features of the baby’s development and select a mat taking into account at what stage and which particular model will be of interest to the baby .
Experts say that a developmental mat should not be shown to a baby under 1 month of age. This is due to the fact that the child will not yet be able to appreciate the benefits of such a toy, but the variety of colors and sounds can easily frighten the baby. In the second month of a baby’s life, a rug with arcs will be an excellent purchase. The main advantage of this product is that the baby will actively use it for at least one year. At first he will lie down and look at various toys hanging above him on the arches, then he will try to reach them or kick them with his foot. Thanks to toys located on arcs, the baby will learn to concentrate, distinguish shapes, colors, and also make conscious grasping movements.
At about 4 months, the baby will begin to roll over onto his tummy and at this stage all his attention will be focused on those elements that are located directly on the surface of the mat, therefore, the more varied it is, the more interesting it will be for the baby. Such elements can be pockets, loops, buttons, various fabric toys hidden in pockets or secured with Velcro. Playing with such a rug will be a real adventure for a child and will have a beneficial effect on the development of his thinking, fine motor skills and tactile perception.
Buy an educational mat for children.
At 5-6 months, the child begins to crawl and also tries to rise to his feet, and here the arcs from the developmental mat help him maintain his balance. During this period, everyone who is located both directly on the mat and on the arcs of the toy is involved in the baby’s play. After a child learns to crawl well, he may lose interest in the rug, because now he has an entire apartment or even a house at his disposal. However, if the parents show the baby new ways to use the rug and its elements in play, the baby will switch back to the “old friend.”
For example, you can show your child how to remove toys from the arches, how you can create a cozy house out of a rug by throwing a sheet over its arches, and many other possibilities.
Pros and cons of developmental mats
Advantages
- Portability - the product folds easily, does not take up much space, the accessory can be taken with you on walks or on a visit.
- Practicality - the insulated mattress is soft and warm, the baby will not freeze when playing on the floor.
- Developmental functions – the mat stimulates the child’s mental development and develops sensory senses.
Flaws
The negative aspects of using play mats for children's development include the fact that children quickly lose interest in the playground, especially for active children.
How to choose a developmental mat
When choosing a playground for a child’s development, the following points are taken into account:
- material of manufacture;
- form;
- size;
- quality and quantity of components;
- safety.
Materials
- Choose products made from natural materials or high-quality moisture-resistant synthetics.
- The fabric should be easy to clean, pleasant to the touch, and hypoallergenic. The fabric should not have an unpleasant odor.
- The underside of the playing surface should not be slippery.
- The colors of the soft base should not be too aggressive; preference should be given to natural, moderately bright colors.
Build quality
Before purchasing, check that all elements of the playground are securely fastened. Small parts (buttons, thin laces, snaps) must be firmly sewn, the seams of the product must be even and continuous.
Form
When choosing a product, you need to focus on the age of the child. For newborn children, the best option is a playground with hard sides. For older children, children's rugs with soft folding sides are suitable.
Size
When choosing an educational rug, be guided by the child’s height and the size of the children’s room. The children's goods market offers educational play mats in compact, medium and large sizes.
For compact models, the length of the longest side is no more than 100 cm. For medium-sized playgrounds, the length varies in the range of 100-150 cm. Large size play mats - the length of the longest 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 musical rug, pay attention that the melodies are pleasant to the ear, the music is not too loud, and it is possible to turn off the sound on the music module.
Safety
When purchasing a playground for your child’s development, ask the seller for a quality certificate for the product.
Why do you need a children's developmental mat?
An educational mat will be a fun and useful game for babies. It is soft and safe, and also bright, colorful, made from non-toxic materials, and absolutely harmless for infants and older children. The child crawls, climbs, walks, without fear of being hit when falling.
Parents will appreciate the educational mat. It is transportable to any place. After making bed in the kitchen, mom will cook or just have a snack while the baby is busy exploring the space. You should not leave the baby unattended, but the mother will have her hands free.
Without special classes and teaching aids, the child develops well with the help of the mat.
Studying new subjects that help develop vision, hearing, and coordination of movements. A bright developmental mat will help you distinguish colors and shades.
Exploitation
- Before assembling the educational playground, read the instruction manual that is included with the product.
- Before cleaning the product, remove toys, bars, and hard elements.
- The rug can be washed in a washing machine in the “delicate wash” mode with the addition of products intended for baby washing, do not use bleach. Dry the product flat.
- Arched structures and toys can be wiped with soapy water and dried naturally in 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 install old and new batteries into toys at the same time.
- Do not install different types of chargers.
- If the electronic product will not be used for an extended period of time, remove the batteries from the battery compartment.
Guarantee
The warranty on developmental mats is provided for a period of 14 days. Warranty obligations are confirmed by the manufacturer's warranty card.
If defects and malfunctions are detected that were caused by the manufacturer, the product 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 company specializes in the production of electronic products for children.
The catalog includes two models of compact educational mats with curves for children aged 3 months and older. The set includes soft hanging musical toys, rattles, and a safety 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 educational 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 gaming accessories for children.
Musical development centers are represented by the following models:
- “Zoo” - intended for children from the first days of life to one year, the main element of the development center is an arc with light and music, the product set includes three rattles. The arc fastening is made in the shape of animals.
- “Friends from the Rainforest” – age group from 0 to 1 year, the set of the music center includes a mirror in the shape of a flower: when the baby hits the mirror, the music starts. The package includes rattles, a teething flower, and soft toys.
- “Piano” – the platform 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 consumers 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 gaming one. The entertainment area is made in the shape of a turtle; the product can be used in two versions:
- a soft area for child development, equipped with arches and removable hanging toys;
- a compact playpen fenced with a net and filled with bright colored balls.
Leader Kids
The company offers educational playgrounds made in the shape of flowers, animals, traditional round and rectangular products. Natural materials are used to make Lider Kids rugs; all models are equipped with arches.
Smoby
The brand's assortment includes a huge number of toys for children of different ages. The product line includes several models of inflatable developmental mats.
To produce play areas, French manufacturers use a combination of plastic and textiles; inflatable models are equipped with arches with toys.
Taf Toys
The company's catalog includes play mats that promote the mental and physical development of a child. The models are equipped with arched structures onto which components are attached.
In the Taf Toys product line you can find educational playgrounds with sides and pillows.
Educational mats for children: what are they and what types exist?
An educational mat for children is a soft blanket made from fabrics of different textures and colors. The surface of a developmental mat is usually equipped with elements such as pockets, lacing, Velcro, sewn flowers or cars and many other details that may be of interest to the baby. The size of educational mats for children is approximately 1.5m x 1.5m - sometimes it can be larger, sometimes smaller. As for the shape of such a “smart blanket,” it can be made in the form of both geometric shapes and various fairy-tale characters, plants or animals.
In addition, children's rugs are divided into several types. Their main models are represented by the following options:
- Rug with sides.
With the help of such a blanket, you can designate a play area for your baby. In addition, a product of this type can protect a baby who is just learning to roll over from moving onto a cold floor. - Universal gaming.
This model is the simplest, most compact and affordable. However, you shouldn’t expect too much from such a rug. The good thing about it is that it can keep your baby occupied for a while, regardless of whether you are at home or away, because the play mat can be easily folded and laid out in any desired place. The main interesting details of this blanket are the elements attached to its surface, made from different types of fabric. - Rug with arcs.
This model is more interesting for the baby and is able to hold his attention much longer than the previous version. The fact is that arcs are attached to the corners of this rug, on which various toys hang, including musical ones, that can attract the baby’s attention and have a positive impact on his development. In addition, thanks to the arches attached to the developmental mat, it is easier for the child to stand on his feet, since he has something to hold on to. - Mat-bag.
This product can easily be transformed from a play surface for a baby to a bag for toys or other children's accessories and back. This blanket is an excellent option for parents who are often away from home. - Double-sided product.
The main advantage of this rug is the presence of two completely different playing surfaces, so the child does not lose interest in them for a long period of time. In addition, some manufacturers of double-sided rugs make the surface of the products in such a way that one side is suitable for play by a child of the same age, and the other by an older child. - Rug puzzle.
For the manufacture of such products, a safe and non-toxic polymer is used. Puzzles can depict letters, numbers or fragments of images. With the help of such a rug, a child will be able to learn letters and numbers in a playful way.
When using a rug with edges, never place it on a sofa or any other surface that is high in relation to the floor. After all, the sides are not so rigid as to prevent the baby from falling.
Educational mat for children from 0.
As you can see, the choice of educational rugs for children is simply huge; the main thing is to find the model that your baby will be delighted with.
