Tummy Time & Cognitive Development

"Tummy time" is recommended for infants and babies, to help them to strengthen their neck muscles. "Ideally, babies should be placed on their tummies after every nap, diaper change and feeding, starting with one to two minutes," according to physical therapist Judy Towne Jennings on the American Physical Therapy Association's website. This activity helps babies to develop physically and can have lasting effects on social, emotional and cognitive development, according to KY3 News in Springfield, Missouri.

  1. Purpose of Tummy Time

    • While babies are awake and supervised, parents should make tummy time a priority. This position helps the child to gain neck and head control, and encourages crawling. Babies who do not have sufficient tummy time have limited opportunities for movement and therefore less exposure to their environment. Exploring the world around them is one of the ways that a baby develops her senses.

    Effect on Other Developmental Milestones

    • An absence of tummy time can have more consequences that just a lack of neck control. Delayed development of physical skills can have a "snowball effect" on other parts of the child's development, such as cognitive and visual processing, occupational therapist Amy Vaughan tells KY3 News. When children do not have tummy time as a baby, doctors and teachers notice issues later in life that might not immediately be linked to physical development, such as muscle strength for handwriting and endurance, says Vaughan.

    Long-Lasting Effects

    • Lack of tummy time can lead to perception problems, issues with prereading skills and a shortened attention span. During tummy time, babies have to work to keep their heads up so they can learn about their environment. While working on their neck muscles, they are taking in details about their surroundings. If the baby misses that opportunity, it could lead to a sensory processing disorder, says KY3 News.

    How to Meet Tummy Time Goals

    • For babies who enjoy being on their bellies, tummy time is easy to accomplish. However, some babies get fussy and cry when placed on the floor this way. Parents can build up tummy time slowly, working day by day to reach the recommended amount of at least 20 minutes a day by 3 or 4 months of age. It also helps to place a favorite toy or brand-new object in front of the baby, to give him a focal point, as long as the item is safe for the baby.

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