This informal CPD article, ‘Nurturing Early Development: The Essential Role of Educators in Promoting Tummy Time in Nursery Settings’, was provided by Little Cub Nurture Hub who offer Baby Room education and training for practitioners which focus on infancy and are in-line with the Early Year’s Framework.
Tummy time is a crucial practice that should be actively promoted in nurseries by early childhood practitioners. This simple activity plays a fundamental role in an infant’s physical, cognitive, and social development. The benefits of tummy time support essential developmental milestones, making its inclusion in nurseries vital for all infants, but especially those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. This article will discuss why tummy time is critical and how it has the potential to impact social equity and inclusion.
Physical Development
Tummy time is essential for strengthening the muscles that babies need to achieve motor milestones such as rolling, crawling, and walking. During tummy time, infants engage the muscles in their neck, shoulders, back, and core. These muscles are critical for overall mobility and motor coordination, enabling babies to crawl, sit up, and eventually walk. Nurseries that actively promote tummy time ensure that infants exercise these muscles regularly, which is essential for preventing delays in physical development. For infants who have had limited tummy time at home, regular practice in nursery settings helps them build strength and fosters their overall developmental progress.
Modern recommendations emphasise placing infants on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, this practice can lead to positional plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, as many babies spend extended periods on their backs. Tummy time helps counteract this issue by relieving pressure on the back of the head, promoting an even head shape and supporting healthy skull development. By incorporating regular tummy time sessions, nurseries can help mitigate the risk of plagiocephaly, particularly for infants who may not receive sufficient tummy time at home.
Cognitive and Sensory Development
Tummy time is also pivotal for cognitive and sensory development. As infants lift their heads and reach for toys, they begin to develop hand-eye coordination, which is an important precursor to grasping and manipulating objects. These actions build problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. Additionally, tummy time exposes infants to a range of sensory stimuli—touch, sight, and sound—that strengthen sensory processing abilities. For infants who have had limited early exposure to such stimuli, nurseries can offer a rich, inclusive environment where all children have access to critical sensory experiences.
Social and Emotional Growth
The benefits of tummy time extend beyond physical and cognitive development; it also supports social and emotional growth. During tummy time, practitioners can engage infants with toys, mirrors, and verbal cues, encouraging communication and face-to-face interactions. These interactions are foundational for emotional bonding and social awareness. In group settings, babies observe and learn from their peers, enhancing their social development. For some infants, where caregiver interaction may be limited, tummy time in nurseries offers valuable opportunities to build emotional connections and social skills.
Addressing Developmental Disparities
The first 1,001 days of life, from conception to age two, represent a critical window for brain development, making tummy time especially important during this period. Tummy time strengthens muscles necessary for gross motor skills and supports cognitive and sensory development, laying the foundation for future learning and independence.
Infants from disadvantaged backgrounds often face significant developmental gaps due to insufficient opportunities for structured tummy time activities. By integrating tummy time into nursery routines, practitioners can provide these infants with the support they need to strengthen their physical and cognitive foundations.
Fostering Inclusivity in Nurseries
To foster an inclusive nursery environment, practitioners must recognise that not all infants begin at the same developmental starting point, particularly regarding motor skills. Promoting tummy time helps level the playing field by giving infants from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to build essential physical and cognitive skills. Incorporating tummy time as a regular part of the nursery routine ensures that all children, regardless of their starting point, have equal opportunities for growth.
Additionally, nurseries can provide targeted interventions, such as additional tummy time for infants with, or at risk of developmental delays. This approach ensures that all children receive the support they need to progress, promoting equity by providing opportunities for children from all backgrounds to strengthen their motor, sensory, and cognitive development.
Conclusion
Tummy time is a vital component of early childhood development, particularly within the first 1,001 days of life. Its benefits for motor, cognitive, sensory, and social development make it an essential practice that nurseries should prioritise. For infants from all backgrounds and especially disadvantaged backgrounds, tummy time offers a pathway to bridge developmental gaps, fostering inclusion and setting the stage for long-term success. By incorporating regular tummy time into nursery routines and providing targeted support, practitioners can help ensure that all children, regardless of starting point, have the foundation they need for future growth and development.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from Little Cub Nurture Hub, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
