Do Infants Get Bored?

The idea of infant boredom is debated among medical personnel and parents. Some feel that a baby can get bored if he isn't stimulated with new toys, sights and sounds during the day, and Harvard University research supports the idea that people of any age can get bored. While the debate is likely to rage on, playing with your baby is a healthy way to foster his physical and cognitive development, according to the Family Education website, and can fend off boredom, just in case.

  1. Research

    • Experimentation conducted by Elizabeth Spelke, a cognitive psychologist at the Laboratory for Developmental Studies at Harvard University's Department of Psychology, found that infants can get bored after repeated exposure to the same experiences. The experiments involved showing a baby the same image on a screen and watching for habituation, or boredom. The time it takes for babies to get bored varies, but after seeing the same image several times, babies look for new stimulation, whether it's removing a sock or falling asleep, according to Spelke. Heading off boredom largely falls on caregivers, since babies aren't physically or mentally equipped to identify boredom, get up and find something else to do.

    Signs of Boredom

    • Watching for signs that your little one might be bored and is ready for something new can help keep her happy and entertained. If your baby gets fussy after a few minutes in her swing or starts to cry after you show her the same stuffed animal for the tenth time, she might be over it and ready to go on to something else. Some babies have a higher tolerance for such things, notes "Parents" magazine, so watch your baby for cues that she's done with her blocks and wants to look at a book or that she's ready to get out of her high chair and scoot around the kitchen.

    Choosing Toys

    • The toys you choose play a role in the chances of your baby getting bored. Age-appropriate selections are your best bet for boredom prevention and healthy development. Family Education recommends choosing toys with a variety of textures, sounds, sizes and shapes. Stuffed animals, board books, musical toys, rattles and toys that light up or make noises are good options. Make sure the toys you choose don't have any small parts, which helps reduce the risk of choking. Switch out your toy pile every few days, so your little one is exposed to new and different options on a regular basis.

    Tips

    • Infants learn by seeing, hearing, touching, smelling and tasting new things. While you have plenty of options at home, getting out and about is a simple way to keep your little one from getting bored. The smell of fresh coffee at a nearby cafe, the sound of cars and trucks driving by on the highway and the sights downtown or at the playground stimulate your baby and help him learn new information. Even a trip to the grocery store or post office is new to your baby, which helps keep him entertained and engaged throughout the day.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Create Own Baby Bingo Cards
      Planning a baby shower for a friend or family member can be a fun experience. One of the traditional things to do at a baby shower is to play a game and a common game to play is baby shower bingo. There are many versions of this game and there are pr
    • 6 Simple And Fun Learning Activities For 10-Month-Old Baby
      If your little rockstar is ten months old and is inching towards completing their first birthday, this is the time to engage your little one with some interesting activities for a ten-month-old baby. This is the time when they can sometimes go out of
    • Where can someone find more information about babycenter?
      You can find more information about BabyCenter in several places:Official Websites:* BabyCenter.com: This is the main website with all the latest articles, forums, tools, and information for expecting parents.* BabyCenter App: Downloadable on iOS and