Tummy Time: More Than Just Neck Strength! How It Boosts Eye Skills and Core Control
Tummy time is often one of the first “exercises” we recommend for babies — and for good reason! At Abil-OT Kids Therapy, we love tummy time not just because it helps build strength, but because it also lays the foundation for visual development, motor control, and functional skills down the road.
In fact, tummy time is one of the best early activities to support oculomotor skills — that is, how your child’s eyes move, track, and focus. And the best part? It’s simple, free, and can be done from day one.
Let’s break down the benefits — and how to make tummy time fun and effective.
What Is Tummy Time?
Tummy time means placing your baby on their stomach while awake and supervised. It’s recommended from the earliest days after birth and continues into infancy and toddlerhood through age-appropriate play on the floor.
Why Is Tummy Time So Important?
Tummy time supports multiple areas of development:
1. Strengthening the Core and Upper Body
Encourages babies to lift and turn their head, strengthening the neck, shoulders, arms, and back.
Builds the muscles needed for rolling, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking.
2. Oculomotor Skill Development
Being on their belly encourages babies to lift their head and visually explore their surroundings.
Promotes visual tracking (following objects with their eyes), eye-hand coordination, and depth perception.
Helps develop skills needed later for reading, writing, and classroom learning.
3. Motor Planning and Body Awareness
Improves the ability to coordinate movement and understand where their body is in space — essential for balance and coordination.
How Does Tummy Time Support Vision?
When babies are on their tummies, they begin to:
Scan side to side with their eyes while tracking toys, faces, and lights
Shift gaze between near and far objects
Coordinate head movement with eye movement
Develop the muscles needed for converging (looking inward) and diverging (looking outward) — key for focusing on books and screens later on
Think of tummy time as the baby’s version of "visual training + strength training" all in one!
Tips to Make Tummy Time Fun
Start small: Just a few minutes a few times a day can make a big impact.
Use a mirror: Babies love looking at faces — including their own!
Get down on their level: Lie on the floor facing your baby to encourage engagement and connection.
Tummy over a rolled towel or pillow: For babies who resist tummy time, gentle support can help ease the position.
Incorporate favorite toys or high-contrast visuals: Encourage reaching, swiping, and tracking.
Try tummy time on your chest: Great for newborn bonding and comfort.
Tummy Time Isn’t Just for Infants!
Older babies and toddlers still benefit from tummy time-style play:
Coloring or puzzles while lying on the floor
Reading books or playing games while propped on forearms
Using a therapy ball for supported tummy time activities
These all continue to promote oculomotor development and upper body/core strength — especially important for kids working on postural control, attention, and fine motor skills.
When to Ask for Help
If your baby:
Strongly dislikes tummy time
Has a flat spot on the back of the head
Seems delayed in lifting their head, rolling, or pushing up
Has trouble tracking objects or making eye contact
…it’s worth checking in. At Abil-OT Kids Therapy, we’re here to help your child develop strong movement and visual foundations through fun, personalized therapy plans.
Tummy time = brain time, eye time, and strong-body time!
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s visual development or motor milestones, reach out — we’re always here to help guide and support your family.