Treasure Baskets - For Babies

The stage in your child’s development when he/she can comfortably sit unaided and begins to interact with their world is a truly magical time of growth and learning.

Treasure Basket play is a great play technique for babies - stimulating their curiosity, appealing to all of their developing senses and allowing them the freedom to explore natural objects and materials at their own pace, in their own way.

What’s in the Treasure Basket? Contents change regularly, but are chosen for their stimulating shapes, sizes and textures and smell - we also select objects that make a gentle noise when moved.

Contents may be random e.g.; Seashells, wooden bracelet, egg cup, bells, large fir cone, bath plug with chain, make up brushes, a small knitted toy, beanbag, piece of flannel, velvet powder puff, bags of herbs, leather key ring, coloured ribbons.

Treasure Baskets are used during quiet times, during which Nursery staff members sit close by and allow babies to explore the objects by themselves. During this time they watch the babies carefully to see how they interact with their ‘treasures’ and keep a close eye to make sure they explore safely.

Treasure Basket play provides excellent opportunities for developing ideas about size, weight, shape, texture, smell and sound. Babies also practise their fine motor movements and hand eye coordination as they handle the objects and they are able to be completely independent in their play, learning to make choices and set their own pace for exploring the world around them.