Everyone knows that movement is good for children - but why have we created play furniture with these 3 movements in particular?
This question is relatively easy to answer. If you look at pictures of children playing over the last few decades and more, there are always similar play typologies that characterize these images:
rocking (often on a rocking horse)
bouncing (either on a hobby horse or kind of a bouncy ball)
rolling (in soapboxes or bobby cars)
These are basic movements that accompany our children for a long time and bring with them many good qualities – this is what it is all about with our modern activity toys.
Why we love so much the movement of rocking
Rocking, for example, is also known from cradling. It is a movement that calms the nervous system and has a relaxing effect. At the same time, rocking helps to regulate body awareness and balance, which in turn improves cognitive and motor skills.
By stimulating the vestibular system in the inner ear, communication between the brain and the body is promoted. This leads to improved coordination, body control and well-being.
There are different types of rocking movements that are suitable for different needs. Slow, steady rocking movements can have a calming effect and help to reduce stress. Faster rocking movements, on the other hand, can increase attention and concentration. This is why our rocking whale "ba" is designed to allow both an upright position for 'active' rocking and a 'leaning forwards' position for relaxed rocking. In fact, I have often observed that the older the children get, the more they favor this relaxed position of 'hanging out' on the whale.
The movement of bouncing and its benefits
It's similar with bouncing: whether with a bouncy bag, skipping rope or bouncy ball - jumping and bouncing strengthens bones and muscles, stimulates motor development and helps to release excess energy. Perhaps your child will finally find some peace and quiet after the exhausting bouncing on the same jumping rabbit to colour or do some homework.
How about the rolling?
As far as rolling is concerned, I can only say that whether boy or girl - the innate fascination of "riding" makes children's eyes light up for years. The fact that our kids car is a cute elephant quickly makes him a favourite. No matter whether you sit in it yourself or it becomes a doll's pram for cuddly toys and dolls. What really makes our rolling elephant "bou" unique is that that you can relax wonderfully in the elephant's hollow and that he is soft and cozy. So no more scuffed cupboard doors or walls from wild Bobby car races.
And finally, a question: as a child, who wouldn't have loved chilling in the lap of a soft elephant, hanging out cozily on a cute whale or jumping around with a cute bunny that you also like to sit on?