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Black and white areas for babies

Black and white areas for babies

We are often asked why we have black and white areas for babies. At Toddletown we know that in the first year of life there are limitations to what babies can see properly but they respond well to simple bold patterns with high contrast. These types of toys and resources support their visual development, inviting babies to engage whilst offering stimulation that will keep them captivated for short periods of time.

The visual contrast encourages babies to explore the different patterns and textures offered, giving a multi-sensory experience to our young explorers. Strong black and white patterns also help babies to develop their ability to focus their attention and levels of concentration.

The brain develops rapidly in the early years, a wide range of play opportunities will stimulate healthy brain development. High contrast resources stimulate curiosity leading to a greater ability to learn.

At Toddletown in Godalming we have black and white areas for babies. We use a variety of high contrast objects, for example black and white rugs,  red rugs, shiny metallic balls, black and white books, soft furry fabrics and smooth cool cottons to provide sensory as well as visual stimuli.

Colours that provide the most contrast are the most appealing to babies. Black and white, of course, provides the greatest contrast.

Contrast is important because the rods and cones (structures of the retina that perceive colour) have not matured enough for them to perceive the intensities of red, blue, pink, yellow, purple, and green. Black and white are the easiest for them to perceive and their interest in these starkly contrasting colours continues until they are six to nine month old.

Researchers have repeatedly shown that newborns prefer to look at black and white geometric shapes, rather than bright colours or pastels.

In the early 1960's, Dr. Robert Fantz, a developmental psychologist at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, who believed that babies under two years of age could see well, designed a "peep box" that surrounded a baby sitting in an infant seat. He placed two objects directly in the baby's view: a patterned black and white checker-board and a plain grey card. Undetected, Dr. Fantz watched the baby through a little peephole and was able to determine that babies preferred the checker-board to the non-patterned surface. Their eyes travelled consistently to the checker-board.

Source: Fantz, R. "Maturation of Pattern Vision in Young Infants." Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, Vol. 55 (1962), p. 907.

Contact us for more info rmation, or to arrange a visit and see our black and white areas for babies in action!

Posted on 10th December 2019

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Godalming

Toddletown Nursery
The Old Gospel Hall
Lower Manor Rd
Godalming GU7 3EG

 

01483 947270
Monday - Friday
7.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
Email us
Make an enquiry

 

Farnham

Toddletown Day Nursery
The Pump House
Kimbers Lane
Farnham GU9 9PT

 

01252 412985
Monday - Friday
7.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
Email us
Make an enquiry

 

Company number 11782569/ 13775454. Registered office: 14 Kingsway, London, England, SW14 7HS

 

Company number 11782569/ 13775454. Registered office: 14 Kingsway, London, England, SW14 7HS

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