Why Parents Are Tying Balloons Around Their Babies’ Arms and Legs

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Did you know that balloons were designed to be used for more than decor or entertainment? Professor Michael Faraday developed the first rubber balloons in 1824 for his experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, London. Toy balloons were introduced the following year(1).

Now surgeons across the globe use balloons for medical procedures like balloon catheter dilation,among others. That’s not all! Hot air balloons and parachutes are relevant examples of how balloons can create a happy bubble in different ways. And now, to top this, it turns out that balloons are helpful to enhance a toddler’s motor skills too! You read that right.

So if you’re a new parent looking to help your child develop their motor skills, then make way for colorful little playthings that do more than stand tall like a string of balloons! Read this article to know how balloons help in infancy development:

1. Increases Hand-Eye Coordination

When your baby is over four months old, they will start noticing everything around extensively. You can use balloons to help your baby practice their hand-eye coordination! You can tie up balloons filled with helium to their ankles or toes and watch them gazing up at the balloons for a long time(2).

Are you wondering if air-filled balloons will get the job done? Well, balloons filled with air are incredibly light, so your toddler can move their feet easily with them around. For your child to concentrate, they must observe the balloons, which stay steady. You will notice them trying to get a hold of the balloon by trying to move their hands and feet. It’s both a basic and delightful way to see your baby try to move around.

2. Makes Vision Clearer

Babies react to colorful objects differently as it takes them time to distinguish between them. So once you start placing balloons in more than one shade, your child might begin observing the intricate patterns and colors.

Have you often caught your baby staring at an object for longer than usual? That’s because they try to follow the action happening ahead of them.

3. Strengthens Their Muscle Core

By placing balloons on your baby’s arms and legs or around them, you motivate them to lift their head and neck on their own. This may prove to be an effective activity for when your baby is learning to roll over or trying to sit up.

Just ensure that your baby doesn’t start sucking on the balloon or uses it as a pacifier, as balloons can turn out to be a choking hazard for babies.

4. Helps In Concentration And Listening

The sound of rattling toys often leaves children in awe. So placing them inside balloons and tying them around babies help them stay focused. You will see your baby trying to reach the toy to uncover the mystery behind all the rattling. In addition, keeping a mirror in the playroom may help the entire process as the child can watch their moves, increasing their will to try harder to reach the balloon.

Now, these are just a few ways that help in your child’s everyday development and enhancement of motor skills. If you think about it, a colorful bunch of balloons works wonders for people of all age groups!

So perhaps you can give them a glimpse of all that balloons can do right from when they are little. And as they grow older, they will learn of other ways to keep themselves entertained. Until then, you can try to develop their motor skills with the help of balloons!