Deciding which infant playmat or activity center to add to your registry can feel like a surprisingly big decision. After all, it’s where tummy time happens, toys get explored, and your baby starts practicing those early rolls and reaches.
The tricky part? There are a lot of options out there, and not all of them are created equal (sorry, not sorry). When choosing a play gym you’ll want to look for one that’s comfortable, easy to clean, and engaging enough to keep your little one interested while they play and explore.
While there are plenty to choose from, we’ve just released one we think checks all the boxes. It’s functional, adorable, and designed to grow right alongside your baby.
We spoke with Jordyn Koveleski Gorman, MS, SLP, a speech pathologist, feeding specialist, play expert, and the mom of three behind EatPlaySay, to learn why she loves Lalo’s newest launch, The Play Gym II, plus how it can support your baby’s development from infancy through the toddler years. We also developed an amazing digital guide in partnership with Jordyn, called the Play Guide, which comes with our Play Gym II. Here’s Jordyn’s take on our latest product!
Lalo: What are the key differentiators between The Play Gym II and other similar models on the market?
Jordyn: Lalo’s Play Gym II has the most longevity out of all of the play gyms on the market. Not only does it have all of the components to support babies as they play on their back, side, and tummy, but the Sit Up Play Panel (an area for babies who are pulling/sitting up) targets the major motor milestones of sitting and even standing. The Play Gym II also provides many social language opportunities for babies to engage with their caregivers, like the Peek-a-Boo window (so they can look out!), which is missing from most other play gyms on the market.
Lalo: Prior to The Play Gym II, did you feel like there was a lack of products that specifically catered to the toddler development stage?
Jordyn: The transition from infancy to toddlerhood is always tricky, because many toddler toys on the market are really for older toddlers (e.g., 18 to 24 months). But, Lalo’s Play Gym II has all of the appropriate components and play activities for new toddlers. For example, those newly one-year-olds (e.g., 12-18 months) are just starting to engage in tasks like sorting shapes, and they are not always ready for a large shape sorter. Lalo’s Play Gym II has teethers that become shapes to sort, which help prepare toddlers for those more complex play activities down the line.
Lalo: What key elements of Lalo's Play Gym II help support the key stages of the toddler phase?
Jordyn: The Peek-a-Boo Window and the Teether Shapes are my favorite elements for toddlerhood. Social language is a large part of communication for toddlers, so being able to play peek-a-boo at the Sit Up Play Panel with a caregiver greatly supports that piece of development. Sorting shapes is also an emerging skill for young toddlers, so the Teether Shapes that can fit into the cut outs in the panel are great for problem solving!
The Mirror section can also be used with Lalo’s Art Cards. This is a great way to introduce functional vocabulary words (nouns, verbs, and animal sounds etc.) with items that babies used in infancy.
Lalo: Does the Play Gym II cater to traditional "Play Mat Zones"? If so, which ones?
Jordyn: Yes, very much so! Play zones are components of a playmat that aim to target certain developmental skills.
Here’s a breakdown of the traditional zones, plus which features of the Play Gym II help encourage the development of those skills:
Learning to Focus: The Sensory Ball, Squeaker, Umbrella Bell
Making Sounds: Squeaker, Umbrella Bell
How Things Feel / Tactile: Sensory Patches, Teether Shapes
Hiding & Finding: Mirror, Pocket, Peek-a-Boo Window
Exploring Colors: Teether Shapes, Sensory Patches
Cognitive / Montessori Zone: All areas of the mat!
Lalo: What are the benefits of the new accessories?
Jordyn: A baby’s sensory system is highly impressionable, so having many different sensory opportunities during playtime is important (visual, tactile, and auditory). All of these new accessories (Umbrella Bell, Sensory Ball w/ Rattle, and Shape Link Teethers) support those areas of development. While they are great for young infants, they also transition into toddler toys easily and help teach concepts like functional play and how objects work together.
Lalo: Tell our readers more about the Play Guide. Does the Play Guide that comes with each Play Gym II explain each "play mat zone" and developmental stage?
Jordyn: Yes. The Play Guide is organized not only by how to play with each component of the Play Gym II, but also shares which play activities are appropriate for each age, and which areas of development are being supported during each play activity and play mat zone. Parents can easily find what they are looking for and immediately engage in appropriate play activities with their baby or toddler. It’s a “no confusion, all fun” guide to play!
We hope our new Play Gym II paired with the super helpful Play Guide will help you navigate all the upcoming milestone moments and fill up those wake windows with developmentally appropriate play! From baby to toddlerhood, it grows with your little one which makes it all the more convenient (and who doesn’t love a multi-stage infant product?).
Enjoy!
FAQS:
Is the Lalo Play Gym useful for early development?
Yes, the Lalo Play Gym II is very useful for early baby and toddler development. Each component of the mat helps support baby and toddler development.
Features like the sensory ball and squeaker help them learn to focus, the umbrella bell teaches them how to make sounds, and the sensory patches and teether shapes help them learn how things feel. As they get older, the mirror and peek-a-boo window helps them practice their hiding and finding skills. And the teether shapes and sensory patches expose them to lots of colors. All elements of the Play Gym II can also help them learn to crawl, roll over, and walk.
What should I look for when buying a baby activity center?
First, you should look for a playmat that has elements to support your baby’s development. That means, engaging, colorful toys, a soft mat or base for them to practice tummy time and rolling, and if possible, toys that make noise or feel different.
Then, you’ll of course want to make sure the activity center’s materials are all non-toxic and made of sturdy materials, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. After that, you’ll want to make sure that it’s easy to clean, and that you like the look of it (if that matters to you). If space is limited, you’ll also want to take that into consideration and make sure it will easily fit in your home.
How can I encourage tummy time?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that tummy time can be done as early as those first few hospital days. Even before the umbilical cord comes off, time on your stomach or chest while you are awake in a reclined position is considered tummy time.
Then, once you’re home, you can put your baby’s tummy down across your lap lengthwise while making sure their head is supported.
When you encourage tummy time on their play mat, make sure they have stimulating toys to look at or play with. That can help them stay engaged in tummy time, and encourage them to practice rolling over.
If your baby absolutely does not like tummy time, place them on a blanket on their side. If you need to support their head, place a small folded washcloth underneath their head. Bring their arms in front of them while their legs are forward at the hips. And of course, always be sure you are supervising your child in tummy time.
How can I clean my baby’s activity center?
Basic soap and water is best for cleaning toys and other items in and around your baby’s activity center. Most mats can be washed in the washing machine, but always be sure to read your specific instructions to be sure. Make sure each item is fully dry before using it again.
Are play mats and activity centers portable?
Most activity centers are portable, which is a good thing for busy parents! When shopping for an activity center, just make sure it’s light enough that it can be easily moved from room to room when needed (or packed up for a trip).
Meet the Expert
Jordyn Koveleski Gorman of Eat Play Say, MS, SLP, Speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist
Jordyn lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two littles. She is a speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist and created Eat Play Say because she wanted parents to feel good about their little one’s speech + feeding development.
Shortly after becoming a mom, Jordyn realized how little information there is for parents about how to support their baby’s speech, language, play, and feeding skills. ALL of those things are connected! Yet information is never delivered in a holistic way. Eat Play Say was built as a supportive place for parents to get the information they deserve about development, and to feel good about how to support their little one at home.
