Educational mats: types, how to choose, manufacturers

Developing rug is a soft pad, complete with different bright components: toys, soft obstacles, rigid elements.

Types Developing rug

At a certain age period, the product helps the development of certain skills.

Category from zero to three months

Educational mats for babies equipped with soft cushions or bumpers that protect children from injury. Many models are equipped with soft colored arcs on which hung colorful toys.

Game elements are placed at a height of about 30 cm.

Category three to six months

Designed for the development of motor coordination. toys on the arches are placed in such a way that the child has the opportunity to reach out and grasp their handles. Bright elements are displayed on the edge of the playing field, so that the child did attempt to crawl to toys.

Category six to nine months

At this age, a child can learn bright image on the carpet, to get acquainted with colors and geometric shapes. The development of hearing and memory contribute to musical mats.

Category from nine to twelve months

Development center is used as a playground, Space for gymnastic exercises and dancing. Classes at the soft site promote the physical development of the child.

Category one year and older

In addition to sports and dancing develops mat can be used as a tent, throwing a blanket on the arc. This game teaches a small child spending time alone, enthrall themselves in any occupation.

By type of material There are three types of rugs developing:

• textile. natural cotton cloth different textures used for manufacturing: smooth, fine, fleecy, dense.
• EVA mats foamed polyethylene or porous rubber. for games and platform development is characterized by a ribbed rough structure.

  Used for the manufacture of hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly materials.

• Combined. They consist of different materials - oil cloth, textile, plastic, foil fabric.

By type The following types of children's developing mats:

• standard;
• mats with arcs;
• double-sided;
• carpets transformers;
• music;
• mats, puzzles;
• mat-house.

standard mats

It is made of a dense colored material, inside which a layer of insulation is laid. Classic children's rugs are rectangular, circular or square shape. Some models can be made in the form of animals or fantasy characters.

Mats with arcs

A characteristic feature is the presence of arcs, which are hung various toys. Most models are equipped with bumpers-limiters. As a child grows bumpers are expanded, thereby increasing the play area.

The market offers models of children's developing areas with soft and hard arcs.

In the first case, the arched design intended for hanging of game elements, in the second they are not only perform a specified function, but also serve to support a baby who learns self get up.

Bilateral

Both sides of the product - facial. On each of them used different drawings. Models are designed for different age groups, for example, one side for children aged up to one year, the other - from 12 months and older.

Carpets transformers

They have the ability to transform into a transport container or box for toys. Used for the manufacture of waterproof fabric, products equipped with two outer loops.

To convert the mat in a carrying case, enough to pull the tabs.

music

Child development centers, equipped with a built-in music panel. It can be in the form of keys or musical toys.

Rug-house

It consists of two main parts:

• mild base;
• rigid skeleton.

Depending on the manner in which the frame is attached to the soft ground, children's rug design may look like a traditional playhouse or path-maze.

Puzzle mats

Designed for children aged one year and older, are composed of separate modules, which can be folded on the principle of puzzles. Mats are made of special environmentally friendly PVC materials.

functions

Play rugs develop the following skills:

• logical thinking;
• coordination;
• fine motor skills;
• tactile;
• color perception;
• touch;
• hearing;
• memory;
• physical development;
• commitment;
• aesthetic development.

Equipment

To complete the game developing mats The following accessories are used for children:

• rattles;
• foil mirror;
• Toy-shurshalki;
• soft books - rag product pages which depict animals,
• numbers or letters are attached using Velcro;
• Toy-Tweeters - fabric toy in the shape of an animal, which is placed inside the tweeter;
• interactive toys - musical and luminous;
• prorezyvateli - products made of solid rubber, which facilitates the process of first teeth;
• stuffed toys filled with sand, buttons, beads, cereals.

To the accessories used with the complete set of game developing coatings, also include:

• pockets;
• lightning;
• Velcro;
• buttons;
• lacing.

Pros and cons of developing mats

Benefits

• Portability - the product is easy to fold, do not take up much space, the accessory can take a walk or a visit.
• Practicality - with a heater mat is soft and warm, baby will not freeze when playing on the floor.
• Educational function - mat stimulates mental development of the child develops a sense of touch.

disadvantages

To the negative aspects of using gaming mats for children's development include the fact that children lose interest in the playground rather quickly, especially when it relates to mobile kids.

How to choose a developmental mat

When choosing a playground for the child's development are taken into account such things:

• manufacturing material;
• the form;
• the size;
• quality and quantity of component elements;
• security.

materials

• Choose products made from natural materials or water-resistant high-quality synthetics.
• The fabric should be easy to clean, be pleasant to the touch, hypoallergenic. The fabric should not be an unpleasant smell.
• Wrong side game coating must not be slippery.
• soft colors of the basics should not be too aggressive, you should give preference to natural, moderately bright colors.

Build quality

Before buying, make sure that all elements of the playground were securely fastened. Small parts (buttons, delicate laces, buttons) must be firmly sewn seams products - smooth, without interruption.

The form

When choosing a product, you need to focus on the child's age. For newborn babies the best option would be a playground with a hard board. Older children suit children's rugs with soft flaps.

The size

When choosing a developing pad guided by the increase in the size of the child and child's room. In the market of children's goods presented educational play mats compact, medium and large sizes.

Compact models have the greatest side length is not more than 100 cm. At sites srednerazmernyih length varies in the range of 100-150 cm. Play rugs large size - length of the longest side of 2 meters.

Completing elements

They must be made of high quality and safe materials. When choosing a carpet with electronic elements necessary to give preference to models with removable toys. They should not be too small, so that the child could not swallow them by accident.

Buying music pad, note that the melodies were pleasant to the ear, the music was not too loud, it was possible to mute a musical module.

Security

When buying a playground for the development of the baby Require the seller a certificate of quality for the products.

Exploitation

• Before assembling the developing playground study manual operation, which is part of the product.
• remove toys products, beams, rigid structure prior to purification.
• washable mat washing machine in the "delicate wash" mode, with the addition of funds intended for children's washing, do not use bleach. Drying of the product to perform in the expanded form.
• Arched design and toys can be cleaned with soapy water, dry naturally in the air. Music modules are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or wipe with a damp soft cloth.

Recommended use soft play centers equipped with electronic elements:

• Use batteries recommended by the product manufacturer.
• Do not place the toys old and new batteries at the same time.
• Do not install different types of charging devices.
• If the electronic product is not used for a long period of time, remove the batteries from the battery compartment.

Guarantee

The warranty on developing mats available for up to 14 days. Proof of warranty acts warranty card manufacturer.

Upon detection of defects and malfunctions which have arisen through the fault of the manufacturer, the product can be returned or replaced during the warranty period.

Manufacturers developing mats

Representative of the Chinese brand Balio in the Russian Federation is the company "Rubicon". The company specializes in the manufacture of electronic products for children.

The catalog includes two models of compact Developing rug with arches for the age group of children between 3 months and older. The package includes soft pendant musical toys, rattles, safe mirror.

Company developers regularly study the consumer market, improving its products in accordance with market demand, innovate.

Bright Starts catalog includes 13 models of game developing mats: round playgrounds, square and rectangular, with sides and without, with arches and without them.

The American company Fisher Price specializes in the production of toys and game accessories for children.

Musical development centers represented by the following models:

• "Zoo" - is designed for children from the first days of life up to one year, a key element of developing the center acts as an arc of light-music in the product set includes three rattles. Fixing the arc made in the form of animals.
• "Friends of the rainforest" - the age group from 0 to 1 year, includes a mirror in the shape of a flower in the center of the musical set: when the kid hits the mirror, turn on the music. The package includes rattles, teething flower, soft toys.
• "Piano" - a platform equipped with a musical module, manufactured in the form of piano. The set includes five add-toys and a mirror.

Infantino

American brand offers consumers safe and high quality products for babies.

Carpet-puzzle from Infantino company consists of six segments of different colors, made of environmentally friendly polyethylene foam, each module displayed geometric figure.

One of the most popular models in the lineup Infantino speaks Game Center "Growing Together". Entertainment zone is made in the shape of a turtle, the product can be used in two ways:

• soft zone for the development of the child, equipped with bows and removable hanging toys;
• compact arena, fenced grid and filled with bright colored balls.

The Company offers educational gaming platform, made in the form of a flower, animal, traditional round and square products. natural materials used for the manufacture of children's rugs Lider Kids, all models are equipped with arcs.

The range of the brand includes a huge number of toys for children of different ages. The line of products includes several models of inflatable Developing rug.

For the manufacture of game zones for French manufacturers use a combination of plastic and textile, inflatable arches model equipped with toys.

The company's catalog includes gaming mats, promote mental and physical development of the child. Models equipped with an arched structure on which are mounted components elements.

In the line of Taf Toys products can be found developing platforms with bumpers and pillows.

Tiny Love range includes over 20 models of developing playgrounds for children aged 0 to 2 years. The catalog presents the standard models, musical mats, with arcs, bolsters and cushions.

All materials are dermatologically tested, plastic items are checked for toxicity and durability.