This guide has been carefully and lovingly crafted for you and your little one. Here you can find how to use each of the toys in your Tribu Box, how they help baby's brain development plus, some bonus activities you will both enjoy.  

Remember, this guide is merely a proposal. You are the expert when it comes to your baby, so feel free to adapt each toy and/or activity as you feel appropriate. 

All summarised and crystal clear for busy you.

I. Your Tribu Toys

Munari Mobile

The Munari, a classic of classics. Its time tested black and white design with geometrical patterns and a transparent sphere helps baby develop their ability to explore the world, while awakening their inherent mathematical sense

what it is for

• Focus
• Eye muscles
• Tracking of a moving object
• Depth perception

how to use it

• Week 1-6
• The mobile should be hung at 30-35 cm distance from baby's eyes.
• Baby should be lying on their back and in the play area
• It moves gently on natural air currents and reflects the light, please don't blow or move
• It is meant to be observed, never grasped.
• Baby should be alert and awake, so it's best to hang it over the movement area, not the sleep area or the changing station.
• Infants need uninterrupted time to look at the mobiles. It might not happen immediately, so try to resist interfering.
• Baby may look away from the mobile if it is too stimulating or they need a break

Contrast Book

This black and white book is like candy for baby's eyes. It invites baby to engage with it due to its high-contrast images.

what it is for

• Eye-brain coordination
• Improve Attention Span
• Enhance tracking abilities
• Extend Tummy Time

how to use it

• From week 2
• Keep the book about 20 cm from baby’s face
• Start small: Baby should be lying on their back and you can show him 1 page at a time.
• Hold the book in front of their eyes or leave it on the floor, one side first and then change.
• Increase the challenge by showing them more pages at a time.
• When baby's ready to hold their own head you can use it during tummy time
• Move the book slowly to one side to exercise baby's neck muscles

Contrast Sensory Toy

This 100% organic cotton & rustling paper toy does not only make exciting sounds but also, catches baby's attention due to its high contrast design.

what it is for

• Focus
• Learn cause and effect
• Awake acoustic and optical senses

how to use it

• From week 4
• Show it to baby until they focus, one page at a time.
• Slowly squeeze and release it: Exciting noises!
• Bring it close to baby's hands, they might surprise you and grab it
• Give them time to explore, it's all very exciting
• If they start to fuss, stop. It was enough for baby. Remember, they can't filter stimuli by themselves, you have to do it for them.
  
  

Octahedron Mobile

The second mobile in the Montessori visual mobile series. It introduces three-dimensional elements, geometrical shapes and primary colours. It also adds a new challenge to baby's developing eyesight.

what it is for

• Eye, neck and arm muscle training
• Binocularity
• Depth perception
• Dynamic visual tracking
• Gaze switching
• Detail perception
• Focus and concentration

how to use it

• Week 6-12
• The mobile should be hung at 30-35 cm distance from the baby's eyes.
• Baby should be lying on their back
• It moves gently on natural air currents and reflects the light, please don't blow or move
• It is meant to be observed, not grasped.
• The baby should be alert and awake, so it's best to hang it over the movement area
• Infants need uninterrupted time to look at the mobiles. It might not happen immediately, so try to resist interfering.

Little Grasping Toy

Let baby explore texture, sounds and weight with this natural material toy. It's perfect to exercise their grip.

what it is for

• Learn cause and effect
• Strengthens left and right side brain connections
• Develops grasp, strength, motor skills and body control
• Induces curiosity

how to use it

• From week 6
• Bring it close to baby's hands until they are able to grab it themselves
• Once baby grabs it, gently pull for added exercise
• Remember to exercise both arms
• When baby holds with two hands, let them explore
• Tummy time tip: place it 20cm from baby's reach

 

Little Rattle

Small enough for your newborn to grasp, it'll train the sense of touch and hearing. Filled with gemstone chips, rattle pleasantly quiet. Baby will not only love to grasp it but also hear its magical sounds.

what it is for

• Practice hand control
• Foster auditory development

how to use it

• From week 8
• Present the toy to baby
• Make it ring on their side until it catches their attention
• Tummy time tip: leave it at baby's easy reach
• Once baby grabs it, let them explore
• Be creative: Let baby know you can hear the sounds too

 

II. Fun & educational activities

Hey, we get it, these first few weeks of baby's life are intense so here's some inspiration for fun and bonding activities with baby. We did all the research so all you have to do is enjoy all those cuddles and giggles (did we also mention the amazing baby smell?)

Tummy to Play

Start by placing their belly-down across your lap for a few minutes at a time so they get accustomed to the position. Just don't do it right after a feeding—pressure on their full abdomen may cause them to spit up.

Face-to-Face

Help baby strengthen their core muscles by lying baby down on your chest. Exercise + cuddles = win win!

Get to Know Baby

Smile at baby, tell them stories, touch their little tiny hands, feet and forehead. Feel their heartbeat and get to know every detail, baby's perfect.

Sleeping Direction

When laying baby down on their back, place their head always facing in a different direction. Those neck muscles will thank you later.

Firsts Songs

Baby loves your voice more than Simon Cowell would, so sing away. This isn't only bonding but an excellent chance to exercise auditory abilities.

Tummy Minute

Make tummy time a daily routine. E.g. Right after a nappy change.

Beep Baby

Tap baby, say the name of the body part and then say “beep”. This helps baby develop their sense of touch and body awareness.

Raise to Sit

Help baby build strength by *slowly* raising them from a lying to a sitting position while supporting back and head.

Mirror on the Wall

Place a mirror facing baby and say: Who's the coolest baby? Tap the mirror, eventually they'll know it's their reflection.

Gentle Strokes

Before feeding, gently stroke baby’s lips with nipple or bottle to encourage a latch.

Head Lifts

Dangle a toy during baby's tummy time. This will help them improve neck and head control.

Rattle Up & Down

Take advantage of baby's reflexes to grab the rattle and allow them to make music, you both can enjoy. Baby might not be Beethoven yet but it will certainly help their hearing development.

Massage Feeding

Do you like massages? Baby too! Give them a little one before showing them the nipple or bottle. This will make them more alert for feeding time.

Get on Down

Get down on baby's level during tummy time and encourage eye contact, or even place a mirror in front of their eyes. This is incredible for their motor skills plus, you can't resist those adorable eyes.

Smiling Faces

Babies love faces, so go on and show pictures, magazines with faces or make use of your Picasso skills and draw one. This aids baby's focus.

Diaper Time Chat

When it's your turn to change a nappy, tell your partner otherwise Joking, of course(?). Nappy time is a great time to chat with baby, tell them exactly what you are doing, they are absorbing language like a sponge.

Mirror Mirror

Show baby around the house and their reflection in mirrors and glasses. You'll appreciate seeing how good you are looking today, plus help baby identify themselves, which in turn, enhances emotional development. Win-win, we say!

Lap Lap Baby

Keep baby calm during Tummy Time by placing them on your lap, it is really soothing for them. Trust us.

Sing a Song, or two

Let your karaoke skills out and sing for baby during tummy time, they'll love it plus it'll make tummy time more fun.

4D songs

Use hand motions for your songs to get a reaction out of baby and develop their language skills.

Tap, Tap, Tap

Help baby's listening skills by tapping the bottom of those tiny little feet while you sing. The tapping will be a new experience and combined with your voice, you are set to earn some brownie points with baby.

Hand Claps

Very gently clap baby’s hands together to the beat of a song. This is incredible for their body awareness so experiment clapping over, above and besides their head.

Cycling

Slowly and gently move baby's legs as if they were riding a bike, all while on their back. Tell baby what you are doing, you can skip the scientific details on how this helps his motor and hearing skills, of course :)

Puppeteer

Place a puppet on your hand, move it up and down. As soon as baby is following the movement, get creative, circles, left and right, etc. This helps those pretty eyes develop.

Dance dance, baby!

Turn on a really cool tune, gently sing and move along the rhythm while holding baby. Introduce them in the world of sounds and new words. They might even share your love for Rock 'n Roll.

Reach it!

Help baby learn how to open and close their fists by bringing a toy close to their hand and encourage them to touch it. Don't forget to switch sides!

Goo goo grl grl

Baby might be cooing and gurgling , keep on talking to baby to develop their communication skills.

Toy Gaze

During tummy time, let baby gaze at their favourite toy and lift it right after. It helps them exercise those neck muscles.

Switch Swat

Hang any toy from a string and let baby observe them while they're working hard on their tummy time. Change the toy, the movements and the speed to keep them entertained and exercising. Go baby!

The talk show

Talking to baby is important! Talk to them, reply to their coos, involve them in the conversation. Baby will not only be developing their listening skills but also exercising their mouth muscles.

Cheesy Smile

Teach baby to interact with you by smiling. Give them a big cheesy smile, watch them smile back and respond to those cute little baby giggles.

A Whole New World

Carry baby in different positions around the house, every position is a great head control exercise and a whole new world to discover.

Face Feelings

Help baby develop their sense of touch by letting their touch your face. Name the body part every time they touch it. You can also do this with a stuffed animal.

Play Peek-a-Boo

Do we need to explain this one? Okay, this classic is fun but also helps baby develop play and memory skills

Tongue Teezer

Want to look silly? Stick your tongue out, baby will try to imitate it, which is honestly the sweetest thing ever. Nevermind the silliness.

Who Am I?

Teach baby about their body by placing their hands on different body parts and telling them out loud.

Side Chats

Lie baby down and talk to them from the left and right sides of his head. Baby will be curious and turn their head, which helps exercise those neck muscles.

Chit-Chat

Hold baby close to you in a tummy-down carry. Tell them while you go: “Up!” and “Down!”, and develop some language skills while you get some squats done.

Express Yourself

Use a variety of facial expressions and make funny faces, it helps baby develop early communications skills.